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Diet (zinc)–gene interaction related to inflammatory/immune response in ageing: possible link with frailty syndrome?

  • SI: Frailty, Ageing and Inflammation
  • Published:
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Abstract

The pivotal role played by zinc–gene interaction in affecting the inflammatory response mediated by IL-6 in ageing, successful ageing (nonagenarians) and the most common age-related diseases is now recognized. Contradictory data emerging from association studies of IL-6 polymorphisms with longevity and chronic age-related diseases seem to arise from the interaction of this inflammatory pathway with dietary habits. Similar conclusions are expected to arise from association studies with the frailty syndrome. Some polymorphisms of genes related to vitamin B12 availability have been already found to be associated with frailty suggesting a possible link among diet–gene interaction and frailty in old age. Other studies in this field are urgently required because of their high potential for suggesting strategies in the care and prevention of frailty in ageing through dietary interventions, in which nutrient zinc may play a pivotal role taking into account that the high copper to zinc ratio is a significant index of the mortality in older people.

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Abbreviations

MTHFR:

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

MTR:

Methionine synthase

MTRR:

Methionine synthase reductase

TCN2:

Transcobalamin II

MMA:

Methylmalonic acid

MT:

Metallothioneins

IL-6:

Interleukin-6

IGF-1:

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1

PON1:

Paraoxonase 1

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

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Acknowledgment

Supported by INRCA, CARILORETO and CARIVERONA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ctr. Nutrition and Ageing, Scientific and Technological Area, IRCCS-INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, 60121, Ancona, Italy

    Eugenio Mocchegiani, Andrea Basso, Robertina Giacconi, Francesco Piacenza, Laura Costarelli, Sara Pierpaoli & Marco Malavolta

Authors
  1. Eugenio Mocchegiani
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  2. Andrea Basso
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  3. Robertina Giacconi
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  4. Francesco Piacenza
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  5. Laura Costarelli
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  6. Sara Pierpaoli
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  7. Marco Malavolta
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Correspondence to Eugenio Mocchegiani.

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Mocchegiani, E., Basso, A., Giacconi, R. et al. Diet (zinc)–gene interaction related to inflammatory/immune response in ageing: possible link with frailty syndrome?. Biogerontology 11, 589–595 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-010-9276-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-010-9276-5

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