Impact of psychological and endocrine factors on cytokine production of healthy elderly people

Abstract Human ageing has been associated with immunological changes including blunted T-cell responses and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigated the role of psychological and endocrine factors in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6) as well as soluble IL-2Rα, associated with T-cell activation. Forty-six elderly subjects (60–91 yrs) and 33 young adults (20–40 yrs) were recruited accordingly the SENIEUR protocol. The emotional status was measured by structured clinical interviews. Salivary cortisol levels (9, 12 and 22 h) and serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were assessed by radioimmunoassays. The elderly were more stressed, depressed and anxious than the young subjects. Cortisol levels were increased whereas DHEA levels were significantly reduced in the elderly. Both groups showed equivalent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as soluble IL-2Rα. Psychological scores were positively correlated to evening cortisol levels and negatively correlated to morning DHEA levels. No relationships were noted between psychological factors and cytokines studied. However, evening cortisol levels were found positively correlated to TNF-α and sIL-2Rα levels. These data indicate that healthy ageing is associated with significant distress and activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Our data also suggest that there are complex psychoneuroendocrine relationships involved with cytokine production during ageing.