Adiponectin levels and genotype: A potential regulator of life span in humans

Gil Atzmon, Toni I. Pollin, Jill Crandall, Keith Tanner, Clyde B. Schechter, Philipp E. Scherer, Marielisa Rincon, Glenn Siegel, Micol Katz, Richard B. Lipton, Alan R. Shuldiner, Nir Barzilai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although caloric restriction in numerous models extends life, longevity in humans is suggested to be limited by the increased prevalence of obesity. Adiponectin, a fat-derived peptide, has a protective role against age-related disease, and thus is an excellent candidate gene for longevity. We studied adiponectin levels in centenarians (n = 118), their offspring (n = 228), and unrelated participants <95 (n = 78). Adiponectin levels were significantly greater in participants older than 95 years (p = .01), an effect that was independent of sex and body mass index (BMI). Adiponectin levels in the offspring were higher (following adjustment for age, sex, and BMI) compared to controls (p = .02), suggesting that inherited factors play a role in determining adiponectin levels. Over-representation of two common variants in Adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) in male long-lived individuals combined with their independent association with elevated plasma adiponectin levels (in men and women) suggests that their presence may promote increased life span through the regulation of adiponectin production and/or secretion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)447-453
Number of pages7
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume63
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008

Keywords

  • Adiponectin
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Genetics
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aging
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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