Can an increased level of circulating IL-8 be a predictor of human longevity?

Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis, Zofia I. Niemir, Renata Podkówka, Katarzyna Korybalska, Małgorzata Mossakowska, Andrzej Brȩborowicz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 are considered to be potent inflammatory agents. However, IL-8 has also been reported to serve as an organ protective factor. The goal of our study was to compare the circulating levels of IL-8 and IL-6 in C-reactive protein (CRP)-negative subjects of different ages. Material/Methods: Seventy subjects living in the Wielkopolska region were enrolled into the study and divided into three groups: group 1-30 young healthy subjects 21-37 years of age; group 2-30 healthy elderly individuals, age 65-87; group 3-10 centenarians (100-105 years). In all of these subjects, serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were assessed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Concerning IL-6, both the serum concentration and the frequency of results above the sensitivity limit were comparable in all groups. With respect to IL-8, the frequency of results beyond the sensitivity limit in groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly (5/30 and 8/30, respectively). By contrast, the majority of subjects from group 3 had an IL-8 level above the limit (9 out of 10; p<0.0001 vs. group 1 and p=0.0007 vs. group 2). In addition, the serum concentration of IL-8 in group 3 was higher than in both the other groups (p<0.01). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the age of analysed subjects and their level of IL-8 (r=0.450; p<0.0001). Conclusions: It seems possible that an association of an increased serum level of IL-8 and a low level of IL-6 is related to longevity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)CR118-CR121
JournalMedical Science Monitor
Volume12
Issue number3
StatePublished - Mar 1 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Elderly
  • IL-6
  • IL-8
  • Inflammation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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