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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217506
Title: Age-associated inflammatory changes: role of nutritional intervention

Author
item Meydani, Simin
item Wu, Dayong

Submitted to: Nutrition Reviews
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2007
Publication Date: 12/1/2007
Citation: Meydani, S., Wu, D. 2007. Age-associated inflammatory changes: role of nutritional intervention. Nutrition Reviews. 65(12):S1-S4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Accumulating evidence suggests that aging is associated with dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses. Investigation into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon suggests that an up-regulated cyclooxygenase COX-2 expression, and resulting increase in production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is a critical factor. Macrophages from old mice have significantly higher levels of PGE2 production compared with those from young mice, a result of increased COX-2 expression and protein levels leading to increased COX enzyme activity. Further, it is possible that the age-associated increase in macrophage PGE2 production is due to ceramide-induced up-regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B activation. Such processes may also occur in cell types other than macrophages, lending further insight into potential mechanisms of age-related disease. More research is necessary to determine the efficacy of nutrient/dietary modifications, such as antioxidants and lipids, for reducing the age-related increase in COX activity and PGE2 production that are associated with several disease states.