Aging and HDL Metabolism in Elderly People More Than 100 Years Old

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have enhanced the importance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as a risk factor for CAD, as well as disability and frailty in the oldest elderly. Therefore, HDL and molecules involved in HDL metabolism seem to be attractive candidates for longevity-promoting factors. A series of observational studies has demonstrated that the predominance of the larger, more lipid-rich HDL2 subclass is a reproducible phenotype among centenarians. This finding was recently evolved by nuclear magnetic resonance technology in quantification of lipoprotein particle size. However, results of investigations into the mechanisms underlying the lipoprotein profiles in the oldest elderly have been conflicting. Genetic variation in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which is a carrier protein in reverse cholesterol transport, was demonstrated to have no association with longevity in one study, but to have positive impacts on large HDL particles and longevity in another. Regarding environmental factors, acute phase reactant and nutritional status are frequently associated with HDL-C levels in the oldest elderly, however, the causality of the association remains to be elucidated. Determination of the association between cognitive function and HDL in the oldest elderly is also a future task. To obtain further insight into the mechanistic roles of low HDL in the pathophysiology of geriatric syndrome, a much greater effort should be invested in this research field. J Atheroscler Thromb, 2004; 11: 246-252.

Health‐Protective and Adverse Effects of the Apolipoprotein E ɛ2 Allele in Older Men

“…For instance, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are found to be significantly associated with disability in the elderly [32][33][34]. The impact of the APOE polymorphism on HDL-C levels can be context-specific and subject to gene-environment and gene-gene interactions such as, for instance, between the APOE and the CETP loci [7,33]. Specifically, HDL-C concentrations were found to be lower among APOE ε2 subjects carrying the B2 allele of the TaqIB polymorphism of the CETP gene [7].…”

“…However, these limitations are largely offset by the weak effects of diseases with a high prevalence (CHD, MD) on the associations between the ε2-containing genotypes and IADL impairments. Other limitations include the lack of data on lipid profiles in the NLTCS, thus preventing tests of the hypotheses on the mediating roles of components of lipid metabolism [32][33][34]. On the other hand, several unique features of the present study can be noted, particularly the use of a genetic sample of the NLTCS and the availability of a database which is specifically designed to assess chronic disability in the elderly individuals; the over-sampling of that phenotype has provided substantial increases in statistical power.…”

Adipokines and Aging

“…In addition, Barzilai et al reported a low prevalence of MS among centenarians and their offspring, which was associated with a larger particle size of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 37) . HDL subclass was also associated with longevity in Japanese centenarians 38) . These findings collectively indicate the existence of a protective phenotype against MS and insulin resistance, which may be relevant to healthy aging.…”

Vitellogenin in inflammation and immunity in social insects

“…Strikingly, greatly elevated levels of the evolutionarily related apolipoprotein B and its susceptibility to oxidation is notoriously linked to atherosclerosis in humans [64] . However, human studies manifest that it is the balance of various lipoproteins in blood that is key in extreme longevity in humans [65][66][67] .…”