Effect of Immunosenescence on the Induction of Cardiovascular Disease Pathogenesis: Role of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

It is well established that the immune potential declines with age. However, there is a great paucity of information regarding role of monocytes in elderly suffering from cerebrovascular accident. This present study was undertaken to investigate if the functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells have any correlation to the manifestation of an age-associated cerebrovascular disorders: myocardial infraction, cerebrovascular (infract & hemorrhage). An age-associated inhibition in the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by monocytes was observed while the production of nitric oxide (NO) remained unaltered in the response of monocytes, obtained from normal elderly donors, to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in vitro. Cerebrovascular pathologies were found to be associated with an augmentation of IL-1 production by monocyte, while NO production was augmented in case of CVA (hemorrhage) and MI. Trace element copper was found to be lower in the serum of patients suffering from CVA, while concentration of zinc was found to be elevated in serum compared to these trace elements in normal adults. Thus these factors are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related cerebrovascular disorders.