Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by neutrophils are necessary to kill bacteria. By contrast, they are toxic to tissues and neutrophils themselves. Decline in neutralization of ROS results impaired cell function. Neutrophil function and its antioxdative defense in association with age are discussed. We here demonstrate decreased activity of glutathione peroxidase in neutrophils from old donors. Employing flow cytometry, increased level of ROS noted in the old, is the evidence for age-related decline in antioxidative mechanism in neutrophils. The ability to generate superoxide anion was, however, reduced with age. Alterations of phospholipid metabolism with age were noted. Basal composition of phospholipids were same between the young and the old. Aging in neutrophils is associated with reduction in both antibacterial and antioxidative defense. Both of them have to be discussed to improve quality of life of elderly people and to avoid aging.
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