title: Age-associated inflammatory changes: role of nutritional intervention.
abstract: Accumulating evidence suggests that aging is associated with dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses. Investigation into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon suggests that an up-regulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression, and resulting increase in production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is a critical factor. Macrophages from old mice have significantly higher levels of PGE2 production compared with those from young mice, a result of increased COX-2 expression and protein levels leading to increased COX enzyme activity. Further, it is possible that the age-associated increase in macrophage PGE2 production is due to ceramide-induced up-regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B activation. Such processes may also occur in cell types other than macrophages, lending further insight into potential mechanisms of age-related disease. More research is necessary to determine the efficacy of nutrient/dietary modifications, such as antioxidants and lipids, for reducing the age-related increase in COX activity and PGE2 production that are associated with several disease states.
authors.affiliation: Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University Boston, Massachussetts 02111, USA. simin.meydani@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Simin Nikbin
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Meydani
authors.forename: Dayong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone