Abstract
One of the latest theories on ageing focuses on immune response, and considers the activation of subclinical and chronic inflammation. The study was designed to explain whether anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle exercise affect an inflammatory profile in the Polish elderly population. Sixty individuals (80.2 ± 7.9 years) were allocated to a low-grade inflammation (LGI n = 33) or high-grade inflammation (HGI n = 27) group, based on C-reactive protein concentration (<3 or ≥3 mg/L) as a conventional marker of systemic inflammation. Diet analysis focused on vitamins D, C, E, A, β-carotene, n-3 and n-6 PUFA using single 24-h dietary recall. LGI demonstrated a lower n-6/n-3 PUFA but higher vitamin D intake than HGI. Physical performance based on 6-min walk test (6MWT) classified the elderly as physically inactive, whereby LGI demonstrated a significantly higher gait speed (1.09 ± 0.26 m/s) than HGI (0.72 ± 0.28 m/s). Circulating interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-13, TNFα and cfDNA demonstrated high concentrations in the elderly with low 6MWT, confirming an impairment of physical performance by persistent systemic inflammation. These findings reveal that increased intake of anti-inflammatory diet ingredients and physical activity sustained throughout life attenuate progression of inflammaging in the elderly and indicate potential therapeutic strategies to counteract pathophysiological effects of ageing.
Highlights
High fat mass dominated among women whereas high fat-free mass was characteristic of men (Table 1)
There were no significant differences in components of body composition between low-grade inflammation group (LGI) and high-grade inflammation group (HGI)
Fat mass and fat-free mass were not related to the levels of circulating inflammaging biomarkers
Summary
Inflammation is a physiological response to tissue damage and is designed to protect the host from infections by eliminating pathogens, promoting cellular repair and restoring homeostatic conditions [1]. The ageing immune system comes with an apparent paradox. Despite a decrease in immune responsiveness to infection and vaccination, and even a reduction in infection-associated immunopathology, the elderly experience a systemic inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases and can significantly aggravate health status. With the advance of the process of ageing of the immune system, the elderly become more susceptible to infectious diseases and cancers [1]. One of the most recent theories on ageing focuses on the immune response, and takes into consideration the activation of subclinical, chronic low-grade inflammation
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
