Strategies to improve the functions and redox state of the immune system in aged subjects.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the role of antioxidants in improving immune cell function, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing longevity, as part of lifestyle strategies for healthy aging.
Results Summary
The study found that antioxidants, along with other lifestyle interventions like physical exercise and environmental enrichment, improved immune cell functions, decreased oxidative stress, and increased longevity. Recent results in mice showed positive effects of environmental enrichment and hormetic interventions on immune functions and redox parameters.
Population
Mice (animal study)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
administration of adequate amounts of antioxidants in the diet | increase | functions of immune cells | individuals | - | improve | #1 |
administration of adequate amounts of antioxidants in the diet | decrease | oxidative stress | individuals | - | decreasing | #2 |
administration of adequate amounts of antioxidants in the diet | increase | longevity | individuals | - | increasing | #3 |
physical exercise | increase | functions of immune cells | individuals | - | improve | #4 |
physical exercise | decrease | oxidative stress | individuals | - | decreasing | #5 |
physical exercise | increase | longevity | individuals | - | increasing | #6 |
physical and mental activity through environmental enrichment | increase | functions of immune cells | individuals | - | improve | #7 |
physical and mental activity through environmental enrichment | decrease | oxidative stress | individuals | - | decreasing | #8 |
physical and mental activity through environmental enrichment | increase | longevity | individuals | - | increasing | #9 |
hormetic interventions | increase | functions of immune cells | individuals | - | improve | #10 |
hormetic interventions | decrease | oxidative stress | individuals | - | decreasing | #11 |
hormetic interventions | increase | longevity | individuals | - | increasing | #12 |
The aging process is accompanied by an impairment of the physiological systems including the immune system. This system is an excellent indicator of health. We have also observed that several functions of the immune cells are good markers of biological age and predictors of longevity. In agreement with the oxidation-inflammation theory that we have proposed, the chronic oxidative stress that appears with age affects all cells and especially those of the regulatory systems, such as the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and the communication between them. This fact prevents an adequate homeostasis and, therefore, the preservation of health. We have also proposed an involvement of the immune system in the aging process of the organism, concretely in the rate of aging, since there is a relation between the redox state and functional capacity of the immune cells and the longevity of individuals. A confirmation of the central role of the immune system in oxi-inflamm-aging is that several lifestyle strategies such as the administration of adequate amounts of antioxidants in the diet, physical exercise, physical and mental activity through environmental enrichment and hormetic interventions improve functions of immune cells, decreasing their oxidative stress, and consequently increasing the longevity of individuals. Recent results in mice of investigations on the effects of a new environmental enrichment (bathing in waters) as well as a hormetic intervention with slight infections (caused by injection of E.coli lipopolysaccharide, LPS), on several functions and redox parameters are shown. The advantages and possible problems of the use of those interventions to achieve a healthy aging and longevity are discussed.