Positive association of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and increased oxidative stress in the healthy elderly

Abstract To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory status in healthy elderly people. A total of 1205 healthy elderly Chinese people (age: 65–83 years old; 861 males, 344 females) who visited the Geriatric Department for a thorough physical examination between May 20 and July 23, 2008 were screened and 118 of them were recruited for further evaluation of oxidative stress (total antioxidation capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) activity and serum hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) level) and pro-inflammatory status (serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level). The total anti-oxidation capacity and SOD activity were decreased while the serum H2 O2 level and XO activity were elevated in groups with higher CRP or IL-6 level. Linear stepwise regression showed that body mass index (BMI), total antioxidation capacity, SOD activity, H2 O2 level and XO activity were predictors for CRP level, while age, BMI, H2 O2 level and XO activity were predictors for IL-6 level. Pro-inflammatory status is associated with increased oxidative stress in healthy elderly population.