title: Antioxidant modulation of cytokines and their biologic function in the aged.
abstract: The oxidant/antioxidant balance is an important determinant of immune cell function, including maintaining integrity and functionality of membrane lipids, cellular proteins, nucleic acids, and for control of signal transduction and gene expression in immune cells. Optimal levels of antioxidants are needed for maintenance of the immune response across all age groups. This need might be more critical, however, in the aged. Age-associated dysregulation of immune response, particularly of cytokine production and T-cell-mediated function, is well documented. The well-known age-related increase in free radical formation and lipid peroxidation contributes, at least in part, to this phenomenon. This review will summarize animal and human studies undertaken by the authors as well as those by other investigators on the effect of antioxidants, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and glutathione on cytokine production and T-cell-mediated function in the aged.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Immunology Laboratory Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Meydani
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hayek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E