Journal List > Korean J Nutr > v.43(2) > 1043810

Lee, Jung, and Kim: Modulation of Immune Parameters by Aging Process∗

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aging process on the immunity in human subjects. In this investigation, nineteen families of three generations (daughters on college age, their mothers, and grandmothers) participated to avoid genetic variation among individuals. Dietary food records, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessments of serum nutrients were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune parameters of subjects were assessed by the total and differential WBC count. Total B and T lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flowcytometer. Serum immunoglobulin G, A, M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. Along with the aging process, body fat was found to be increased whereas lean body mass and total body water were diminished. Since there were no significant difference in serum vitamin E levels in all age groups, serum retinal concentrations tended to decrease as one gets old. 2. Although total number of T lymphocytes seemed to be unchanged, B lymphocytes and NK cell numbers were increased by aging. The Percentage of CD8 + lymphocytes was lower in the elderly subjects compared with the younger, resulting in higher ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + lymphocytes in the elderly. Serum Ig G and Ig A levels remained unchanged, but IgM levels were significantly decreased as the age processes continue. Taking all together, it could be suggested that the alteration of immune cell population by aging is selective and possibly nonage factors such as nutrition may be attributable to the change of immunity in the elderly. The nutritional status and aging process may selectively affect both the cell-mediated (CD8 +, CD4 +:CD8 + ratio, NK cell) and humoral (B lymphocyte, Immunoglobulin M, G) immune parameters in human subjects.

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Fig. 1.
Serum vitamin A and E levels in different age groups. The data present the mean values ± S.D. ∗: significantly different from group A by the ANOVA, p < 0.05.
kjn-43-152f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Total and differential white blood cell counts.
kjn-43-152f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Serum immunoglobulin levels in different age groups. The data present the mean values ± S.D. ∗: significantly different from group A by the ANOVA, p < 0.05. +: significantly different from group C by the ANOVA, p < 0.05.
kjn-43-152f3.tif
Table 1.
Anthropometric measurements
A (N = 17) B (N = 19) C (N = 18)
Age (years) 023.0 ± 1.70 48.3 ± 4.80 75.3 ± 6.70
Height (cm) 161.5 ± 3.40 157.1 ± 4.400 148.4 ± 5.100
Weight (kg) 052.7 ± 5.7 56.5 ± 5.10 50.0 ± 8.00
BMI (kg/m 2) 0020.2 ± 2.0b1) 22.8 ± 2.6 a 22.5 ± 2.8a
Triceps skinfold (mm) 020.8 ± 5.4 b 22.8 ± 2.6 a 22.5 ± 2.8 a
Triceps skinfold (mm) 020.8 ± 5.4b 25.4 ± 6.0a 18.9 ± 6.4b
Arm circumference (cm) 025.5 ± 2.2b 28.7 ± 3.1a 26.0 ± 2.5b
AMC (cm) 018.9 ± 1.2b 20.7 ± 2.5a 020.0 ± 1.7ab
Body fat (%) 024.1 ± 3.0b 26.2 ± 3.8b 30.9 ± 5.7a
LBM (kg) 039.8 ± 4.0a 41.6 ± 3.3a 34.2 ± 4.5b
TBW(L) 029.1 ± 3.0a 30.4 ± 2.5a 25.0 ± 3.3b

1) The data present the mean values ± S.D. The different letters (a, b) are significantly different from each other at α = 0.05 as determined by Duncan's multiple range test (a > b)

Table 2.
Mean daily nutrients intake 1) from dietary food records
Nutrients A (N = 17) B (N = 19) C (N = 18)
Energy (kcal/day) 1600.0 ± 465.5 1666.0 ± 484.2 0.1415 ± 360.2
Energy (kcal/kg b.w.) 30.3 ± 7.2 29.4 ± 7.8 29.3 ± 8.0
Protein (g/day) 055.8 ± 24.0 067.2 ± 26.9 057.4 ± 20.1
(14%) 2) (16.1%) (16.2%)
Fat (g/day) 038.1 ± 15.6 031.5 ± 11.8 028.2 ± 14.7
(21.4%) (17.0%) (17.9%)
Carbohydrate (g/day) 259.9 ± 72.3 268.2 ± 86.7 234.6 ± 55.5
(64.9%) (64.4%) (66.3%)
Iron (mg/day) 10.6 ± 4.7 12.2 ± 5.1 09.4 ± 4.0
(75.7%)3) (87.1%) (104.4%)
Vitamin A (I.U) 0002511 ± 1605 b4) 4212.0 ± 1965 a 003134 ± 2566 ab

1) Estimated from Can (Computer Aided Nutritional analysis program) pro 3.0

2) % of total kcal

3) % of RI (Recommended Intake)

4) The data present the mean values ± S.D. The different letters (a, b) are significantly different from each other at α = 0.05 as determined by Duncan’s multiple range test (a > b)

Table 3.
T cell subsets, B lymphocytes and NK-cells in cellmediated immunity
A (N = 17) B (N = 19) C (N = 18)
T lymphocytes (%) 67.9 ± 6.5 67.9 ± 6.1 62.7 ± 12.0
CD4 + (%) 37.0 ± 8.1 42.1 ± 6.1 40.8 ± 10.5
CD8 + (%) 0031.7 ± 6.1 a1) 26.7 ± 6.9 ab 023.8 ± 10.8 b
CD4 +/CD8 + ratio 01.25 ± 0.5b 01.7 ± 0.5ab 02.32 ± 1.74a
B lymphocytes (%) 009.5 ± 3.1b 10.8 ± 3.6ab 12.3 ± 4.5a
NK-cell (%) 014.9 ± 5.3 b 15.5 ± 3.7 ab 19.7 ± 8.9 a

1) The data present the mean values ± S.D. The different letters (a, b) are significantly different from each other at α = 0.05 as determined by Duncan’s multiple range test (a > b)

Table 4.
Correlation between anthropometric measurements and immune parameters
4-1) A group
  Skinfold thickness Body fat (%) 1) Lean body mass Total body water Body mass index
Lymphocyte -0.0177 -0.0977 -0.0890 -0.0873 -0.1673
Basophil -0.2713 -0.1681 -0.3743 -0.3748 -0.2989
T lymphocyte -0.1149 -0.0121 -0.3413 -0.3364 -0.1314
CD8 + -0.0675 -0.0345 -0.0388 -0.0369 -0.0617
CD4: CD8 ratio -0.0971 -0.1912 -0.0236 -0.0216 -0.0598
Ig M -0.2968 -0.0508 -0.6025 -0.6018 -0.5402
4-2) B group
  Skinfold thickness Body fat (%) 1) Lean body mass Total body water Body mass index
Lymphocyte -0.4046 -0.5418 -0.0931 -0.0170 -0.3606
Basophil -0.4645 -0.3288 -0.3778 -0.3562 -0.4831
T lymphocyte -0.0985 -0.0343 -0.4271 -0.4560 -0.1424
CD8 + -0.4453 -0.0176 -0.5300 -0.4701 -0.2247
CD4: CD8 ratio -0.4303 -0.0241 -0.4613 -0.4061 -0.2247
Ig M -0.4723 -0.0933 -0.1545 -0.0704 -0.0717
4-3) C group
  Skinfold thickness Body fat (%) 1) Lean body mass Total body water Body mass index
Lymphocyte -0.4255 -0.2562 -0.0535 -0.0548 -0.1664
Basophil -0.3147 -0.2077 -0.2049 -0.2049 -0.0163
T lymphocyte -0.2835 -0.2400 -0.0616 -0.0622 -0.1540
CD8 + -0.0151 -0.1380 -0.3467 -0.3469 -0.1665
CD4: CD8 ratio -0.0880 -0.0564 -0.2679 -0.2682 -0.0821
Ig M -0.3531 -0.3483 -0.0647 -0.0685 -0.1710

1) Estimated by Bioelectrical Impedance method (Bio Electrical Impedance Fatness Analyzer GIF-891, GIL WOO Trading Company)

: p < 0.05. Pearson’s correlation coefficient ®

Table 5.
Correlation between mean daily nutrients intake and immune parameters
5-1) A group
  Dietary Intake
  Calorie Carbohydrate Fat Fe
Total WBC count -0.2090 -0.3336 -0.0596 -0.1189
Eosinophil -0.1281 -0.1508 -0.0874 -0.1201
Basophil -0.1737 -0.2032 -0.0874 -0.2105
T lymphocyte -0.5993 -0.7301∗∗ -0.2377 -0.3228
Ig G -0.4986 -0.3561 -0.5418 -0.2063
Ig M -0.1408 -0.2346 -0.1105 -0.0325
5-2) B group
  Dietary Intake
  Calorie Carbohydrate Fat Fe
Total WBC count -0.2421 -0.0473 -0.0805 -0.0776
Eosinophil -0.3592 -0.3236 -0.4113 -0.4977
Basophil -0.2990 -0.4272 -0.1685 -0.5913∗∗
T lymphocyte -0.0612 -0.0203 -0.1964 -0.0830
Ig G -0.1870 -0.1169 -0.0763 -0.3501
Ig M -0.5385 -0.5913∗∗ -0.1231 -0.6060∗∗
5-3) C group
  Dietary Intake
  Calorie Carbohydrate Fat Fe
Total WBC count -0.3632 -0.5604 -0.1547 -0.0228
Eosinophil -0.0918 -0.0775 -0.1446 -0.0515
Basophil -0.1179 -0.3281 -0.1044 -0.2625
T lymphocyte -0.2574 -0.2336 -0.1759 -0.5191
Ig G -0.0374 -0.0883 -0.0114 -0.1075
Ig M -0.0561 -0.1012 -0.0955 -0.1794

: p < 0.05

∗∗ : p < 0.01. Pearson’s correlation coefficient ®

Table 6.
Correlation between serum vitamin A or vitamin E levels and immune parameters of subjects
A group (N = 17) B group (N = 19) C group (N = 18)
Serum vitamin A Serum vitamin E Serum vitamin A Serum vitamin E Serum vitamin A Serum vitamin E
Lymphocyte -0.0347 -0.2929 -0.0703 -0.4893 -0.3481 0.2361
T lymphocyte -0.1442 -0.2481 -0.0842 -0.6084∗∗ -0.1311 0.2628
B lymphocyte -0.1323 -0.4612 -0.1840 -0.1193 -0.2734 0.1650

: p < 0.05

∗∗ : p < 0.01. Pearson’s correlation coefficient ®

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