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Remodelling of biological parameters during human ageing: evidence for complex regulation in longevity and in type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

Factor structure analyses have revealed the presence of specific biological system markers in healthy humans and diseases. However, this type of approach in very old persons and in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is lacking. A total sample of 2,137 Italians consisted of two groups: 1,604 healthy and 533 with T2DM. Age (years) was categorized as adults (≤65), old (66–85), oldest old (>85–98) and centenarians (≥99). Specific biomarkers of routine haematological and biochemical testing were tested across each age group. Exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) by principal component method with Varimax rotation was used to identify factors including related variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to confirm factor solutions for each age group. EFA and SEM identified specific factor structures according to age in both groups. An age-associated reduction of factor structure was observed from adults to oldest old in the healthy group (explained variance 60.4% vs 50.3%) and from adults to old in the T2DM group (explained variance 57.4% vs 44.2%). Centenarians showed three-factor structure similar to those of adults (explained variance 58.4%). The inflammatory component became the major factor in old group and was the first one in T2DM. SEM analysis in healthy subjects suggested that the glucose levels had an important role in the oldest old. Factorial structure change during healthy ageing was associated with a decrease in complexity but showed an increase in variability and inflammation. Structural relationship changes observed in healthy subjects appeared earlier in diabetic patients and later in centenarians.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biostatistical Center, Polo Scientifico Tecnologico, I.N.R.C.A., Via Birarelli, 8, Ancona, Italy

    Liana Spazzafumo & Cristina Sirolla

  2. Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Fabiola Olivieri

  3. Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, I.N.R.C.A. National Institute, Ancona, Italy

    Fabiola Olivieri

  4. Scientific Direction, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy

    Angela Marie Abbatecola, Rosamaria Lisa & Fabrizia Lattanzio

  5. Clinical Laboratory & Molecular Diagnostics, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy

    Roberta Galeazzi

  6. Diabetology Unit, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy

    Roberto Testa

  7. Department of Experimental Pathology, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy

    Rita Ostan, Maria Scurti & Claudio Franceschi

  8. Centro Interdipartimentale Galvani “CIG”, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy

    Rita Ostan, Maria Scurti & Claudio Franceschi

  9. Physics and Biophysics, Dipartimento di Fisica, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy

    Gastone Castellani

  10. Department of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Daniela Monti

  11. Department of Pathobiology and Medical and Forensic Biotechnologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Calogero Caruso & Sonya Vasto

  12. Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

    Rosanna Vescovini

  13. Geriatric Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Giulia Ogliari & Daniela Mari

Authors
  1. Liana Spazzafumo
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  2. Fabiola Olivieri
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  3. Angela Marie Abbatecola
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  6. Rosamaria Lisa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liana Spazzafumo.

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Liana Spazzafumo and Fabiola Olivieri contributed equally to the manuscript.

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Spazzafumo, L., Olivieri, F., Abbatecola, A.M. et al. Remodelling of biological parameters during human ageing: evidence for complex regulation in longevity and in type 2 diabetes. AGE 35, 419–429 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-011-9348-8

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