Lipoprotein metabolism in Japanese centenarians: effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and nutritional status.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the complex interaction of apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphisms and environmental factors on lipoprotein profile in centenarians.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis.


METHODS
Tokyo metropolitan area.


METHODS
Seventy-five centenarians and 73 healthy older volunteers (mean age 63.1 +/- 10.0) living in the Tokyo metropolitan area.


METHODS
Plasma lipids and lipoproteins, cholesteryl ester transfer protein mass, apo E phenotype, body mass index, nutritional indices (serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin), dietary intake, inflammation markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)), activities of daily living, and cognitive function.


RESULTS
In comparison with older people, the centenarians had low concentrations of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a relative predominance of high-density lipoprotein 2 cholesterol. No environmental factor, except the number of apo E epsilon2 alleles, was a significant determinant of LDL-C and apo B, suggesting that the low apo B-containing lipoprotein in centenarians may be attributable to a genetic cause. Centenarians had elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which seem to be an unfavorable lipoprotein profile. Lower levels of HDL-C in the centenarians were associated with decreased serum albumin, elevated CRP and IL-6 levels, and cognitive impairment, suggesting that HDL-C could be a sensitive marker for frailty and comorbidity in the oldest old.


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of apo B-containing lipoproteins attributable to a genetic cause may be advantageous for longevity. Lipoprotein profiles in centenarians were consistently related to the subjects' nutritional status, inflammation markers, and apo E polymorphisms. The results provide evidence for the importance of maintaining nutritional status in the very old.
Arai
Y
Y
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Hirose
N
N
Nakazawa
S
S
Yamamura
K
K
Shimizu
K
K
Takayama
M
M
Ebihara
Y
Y
Osono
Y
Y
Homma
S
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007564:Japan; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C506642:CETP protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins