Cardiac vagal control and inflammation are upregulated in exceptional human longevity.
Abstract
We investigated the interplay of cardiovascular autonomic and inflammatory profiles in persons with extreme longevity (PEL), their direct offsprings (DO), and a group of controls matched for age and sex with the DO. Cardiac autonomic control was assessed through the heart rate variability (HRV) using spectral and symbolic analysis. The plasma concentration and gene expression of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and TNF-α were quantified. In PEL, the sympatho-vagal is shifted to a vagal predominance and both pro- and anti-inflammatory circulation cytokines are increased compared to DO and controls. Also, no differences were found in HRV between DO and controls. These preliminary results suggest that environmental factors, at least in our small sample, may overcome the impact of heritability on cardiac autonomic control and inflammatory circulation cytokines.
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Research summary
The paper investigates the relationship between cardiac vagal control, inflammation, and exceptional human longevity, which is pertinent to understanding mechanisms of aging and longevity. However, the findings are preliminary and based on a small sample size, limiting their broader applicability and significance. The study contributes to the field but does not present groundbreaking insights or solutions to the root causes of aging.
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