Immune status is more affected by age than by carotenoid depletion-repletion in healthy human subjects
Open accessAbstract
Prospective studies have indicated an age-related impairment of the immune response. Carotenoids have been hypothesised to enhance immune cell function. The aim of the present study was to describe the age-related effects and the impact of in vivo dietary carotenoid depletion and repletion on specific and non-specific immunity. A total of ninety-eight healthy male subjects (aged 20-75 years) received a carotenoid-depleted diet for 3 weeks and were then supplemented daily for 5 weeks with 30 mg β-carotene, 15 mg lycopene and 9 mg lutein. Blood samples were collected at study entry, after depletion and supplementation, and biomarkers of immune status were determined. We found that serum IgA levels were positively correlated with ageing. Lymphocyte phenotyping indicated an increase with age in the memory T-helper cell subpopulation (CD4⁺CD45RO⁺) concomitantly with a decrease in naive T-helper cells (CD4⁺CD45RA⁺). A significant increase in the natural killer cells subpopulation and a small decrease in B lymphocytes were also observed, especially for the oldest volunteers. From ex vivo cell function exploration, a positive correlation was observed between age and IL-2 production of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. Neutrophils' bactericidal activity was significantly impaired with age (from 50 years) and was modulated by carotenoid status. An age effect was found on neutrophils' spontaneous migration but not on directed migration. Immune response in healthy human subjects is mostly affected by age rather than by dietary carotenoid depletion and repletion. Even in carefully selected healthy volunteers, some age-related immune changes occur predominantly from 50 years onwards. This immunosenescence could generate a loss in the immune system adjustment capacity.
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Older adults supplemented with carotenoids (30 mg β-carotene, 15 mg lycopene and 9 mg lutein) had a shift to T cells expressing a mature phenotype.
“Older adults supplemented with carotenoids (30 mg β-carotene, 15 mg lycopene and 9 mg lutein) had a shift to T cells expressing a mature phenotype”
From Immunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention (2019) · cites this paper as [137]
Older adults supplemented with carotenoids (30 mg β-carotene, 15 mg lycopene and 9 mg lutein) had an increase in NK cells.
“an increase in NK cells (137)”
From Immunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention (2019) · cites this paper as [137]
Older adults supplemented with carotenoids (30 mg β-carotene, 15 mg lycopene and 9 mg lutein) had higher IgA serum levels.
“higher IgA serum levels”
From Immunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention (2019) · cites this paper as [137]
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- Authors
- Farges, M.-C., Minet-Quinard, R., Walrand, S., Thivat, E., Ribalta, J., Winklhofer-Roob, B., Rock, E., & Vasson, M.-P.
- Affiliations
- Université Clermont Auvergne (FR)
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
- Unité de Nutrition Humaine (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Vasson, Marie-Paule
- Venue
- British Journal Of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2012-03-08
- Volume
- 108
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 2054-2065
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W1976796872
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 1.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Rovira & Virgili repository (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Keywords
- immunosenescence, age-related immune decline, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, serum IgA, T helper cell subsets, memory T cells, natural killer cells, B cells, IL-2 production, neutrophil bactericidal activity, neutrophil migration, immune status
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aging, Antioxidants, Carotenoids, France, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Delayed, Immunoglobulin A, Leukopenia, Male, Middle Aged, Neutrophils, Phagocyte Bactericidal Dysfunction, Severity of Illness Index, Vitamin A Deficiency, Lymphocyte Subsets, IgA Deficiency, Reactive Oxygen Species, Dietary Supplements, Young Adult
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