Inflammaging and body composition: New insights in diabetic and hypertensive elderly men

Abstract

Age-related changes in the body's physiological responses play a critical role in systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SAH and T2DM have clinically silent low-grade inflammation as a common risk factor. This inflammation has a relevant element, the excess of fatty tissue. In this scenario, little is known about how inflammatory markers interact with each other. Therefore, this work evaluated the interplay among anthropometric, biochemical, and inflammatory markers in the elderly with SAH and T2DM. Men aged 60-80 years old with SAH and T2DM were classified by body mass index (BMI) as eutrophic elderly (EE, 24 individuals) or overweight elderly (OE, 25 individuals). Body composition analysis was performed using bioimpedance. Blood samples were collected to perform inflammatory and biochemical evaluations. The cytokines IL-17A, IL-1β, IFN-y, TNF-α, and IL-10, were evaluated by ELISA. Triglycerides, total and fractions of cholesterol, and glucose were measured by spectrophotometry. Overweight elderly men had a higher glycemic index and an increase in most anthropometric markers, as well as higher means for all pro-inflammatory cytokines analyzed (IL-17A, IL-1β, IFN-y, and TNF-α) in comparison to their eutrophic elderly counterparts. However, there was a decrease in IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine and IL-10/IL-17A ratio compared to their eutrophic elderly counterparts. Although overweight elderly men have worsening inflammatory parameters, the magnitude of their correlations with anthropometric and biochemical parameters becomes less evident. The Bayesian networks highlight that in the eutrophic elderly, IL-17A and TNF-α are the cytokines most associated with interactions, and most of these interactions occur with biochemical parameters. It is worth highlighting the role of IFN-y in overweight elderly men. This cytokine influences IL-10 and TNF-α production, contributing to the inflammatory profile exacerbated in this group.

Keywords: Body composition; Elderly men; Inflammation; Systemic arterial hypertension; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.