Abstract
Frailty, in elderly people, represents multiple deficiencies in different organs and is characterized by decreased physiological reserves and greater vulnerability to stressors. Bedridden elderly, with cardiovascular disease (CVD), have a worse prognosis than non-bedridden patients. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that under physiological conditions facilitate the transport, folding and assembly of proteins. Serum HSP 60-kDa concentrations and their antibodies are increased, in response to non-physiological conditions, suggesting the involvement of HSPs and their antibodies in the development of CVD. The aim of this work was to evaluate heat shock protein 60 and anti-HSP60 antibody levels, associated with a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in bedridden elderly patients. Clinical, analytical and cross-sectional analyses were performed with 57 elderly (>65 years). HSP60 and anti-HSP60 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Bivariate analysis using a linear regression model adjusted for risk factors used Framingham Score. Among the 57 elderly, with an average age of 69.89 years, 39% are bedridden; 26% with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and 44% are dyslipidemic. The relationship of risk factors in the Framingham Score was positive for the anti-HSP60 antibody (p = 0.042) measurement. Our data show a positive correlation among the elevation of the Framingham score and the profile of anti-HSP60 antibodies. These results suggest a greater immune activation that is associated with cardiovascular risk and bedridden fragility.
Highlights
The progressive decrease of functional physiological ability, that occurs as consequence of the aging process, has been consistently associated with the significant reduction of life quality, cognitive function decrease, falls with bone fractures, thromboembolism and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the last being the main cause of elderly people mortality (Di Nisio et al, 2011; Evans, 2011; Ortmann and Lattrich, 2012)
The development of the CVD is mainly associated with three important risk factors: diabetes, systemic arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia (Topinkov, 2008)
Medium blood pressure was considered normal. The population showed their self-none dyslipidemia with total cholesterol medium as 167.3 mg/dL and triglycerides 129.1 mg/dL
Summary
The progressive decrease of functional physiological ability, that occurs as consequence of the aging process, has been consistently associated with the significant reduction of life quality, cognitive function decrease, falls with bone fractures, thromboembolism and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the last being the main cause of elderly people mortality (Di Nisio et al, 2011; Evans, 2011; Ortmann and Lattrich, 2012). Additional tools aiding the clinical assessment and to improve their ability to identify patients with risk factors, for CVD, are necessary (Akita Chun and McGee, 2004; Vasan, 2006). It has been suggested that measurable and quantifiable biological parameters (biomarkers) are useful tools to aid in the disease prognosis and to identify disease risks and metabolic processes (Vasan, 2006)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
