Study on the characteristics of immunoglobulin and complement expression in centenarians in Hainan / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of serum immunoglobulin and complement levels in centenarians in Hainan.Methods:Fasting venous blood samples from 969 centenarians in Hainan province were collected and from 364 seniors serving as the control group.Levels of serum immunoglobulin A, G, M and E, immunoglobulin light chain κ and λ, and complement C3 and C4 were measured.Serum immunoglobulin and complement levels were analyzed in subjects based on age, sex, ethnicity, diet and smoking.Results:Serum levels of immunoglobulin G and E, and immunoglobulin light chain κ were higher in the centenarian group than in the control group[15.9(13.8, 18.3)g/L vs.14.9(13.1, 16.9)g/L; 270.0(85.5, 851.0) vs.180.5 kU/L(58.0, 556.2)kU/L, 4.1(3.5, 4.9)g/L vs.4.0(3.1, 4.6)g/L, P<0.05]. Serum levels of immunoglobulin M, and complement C3 and C4 were lower in the centenarian group than in the control group[1.0(0.7, 1.4)g/L vs.1.1(0.8, 1.5)g/L, 1.0(0.9, 1.2) vs.1.1(1.0, 1.3), 0.2(0.2, 0.3) vs.0.3(0.2, 0.3), P<0.05]. Serum levels of immunoglobulin M and complement C3 were higher in female centenarians than in male centenarians[1.1(0.7, 1.4) vs.1.0(0.7, 1.3), 1.0(0.9, 1.1) vs.1.0(0.8, 1.1), P<0.05]. There were significant differences in immunoglobulin A, G and E, and immunoglobulin light chain κ and λ between centenarians of different ethnicities( P<0.01). Serum immunoglobulin M levels were higher in centenarians with a long history of milk-drinking than in those without the history[1.2(0.8, 1.5) vs.1.0(0.7, 1.4), P<0.01]. Conclusions:Serum levels of immunoglobulins and complements are different among centenarians of different ages, genders, ethnicities and diet habits.Factors such as advanced age, female gender, ethnic minority and milk drinking tend to promote the expression of immunoglobulins and complements.