Production of IL-6 and IL-1Ra--but not IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha--was increased in the elderly compared to healthy, young subjects. The increase in IL-6 also correlated with increased production of CRP, a marker of inflammation. However, IL-1Ra was increased in the elderly independently of CRP production. Although limited by the small control group, these data suggest that dysregulation of some inflammatory cytokines occurs with age, but the role of inflammation in aging remains unclear.

No abstract