Micronutrient–gene interactions related to inflammatory/immune response and antioxidant activity in ageing and inflammation. A systematic review

Publication date: March–April 2014 Source:Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Volumes 136–137 Author(s): Eugenio Mocchegiani , Laura Costarelli , Robertina Giacconi , Marco Malavolta , Andrea Basso , Francesco Piacenza , Rita Ostan , Elisa Cevenini , Efstathios S. Gonos , Daniela Monti Recent longitudinal studies in dietary daily intake in human centenarians have shown that a satisfactory content of some micronutrients within the cells maintain several immune functions, a low grade of inflammation and preserve antioxidant activity. Micronutrients (zinc, copper, selenium) play a pivotal role in maintaining and reinforcing the performances of the immune and antioxidant systems as well as in affecting the complex network of the genes (nutrigenomic) with anti- and pro-inflammatory tasks. Genes of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and some key regulators of trace elements homeostasis, such as Metallothioneins (MT), are involved in the susceptibility to major geriatric disease/disorders. Moreover, the genetic inter-individual variability may affect the nutrients’ absorption (nutrigenetic) with altered effects on inflammatory/immune response and antioxidant activity. The interaction between genetic factors and micronutrients (nutrigenomic and nutrigenetic approaches) may influence ageing and longevity because the micronutrients may become also toxic. This review reports the micronutrient–gene interactions in ageing and their impact on the healthy state wit...
Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research