Research Perspective Volume 5, Issue 7 pp 495—506

Figure 4. Assessment of aging-related plasma inflammatory potential reveals greater complex than presence of cytokines. Replotted baseline data (before treatment) from subjects studied in a month-long trial of resveratrol treatment [9]. Plasma cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-1beta (IL1b) and interferon gamma (IFNg), were not significantly altered as a function of age (left). However, serum from those subjects applied to primary human coronary artery endothelial cells elicited responses that increased dramatically in individuals 60-70 years of age. These findings, along with the results of the resveratrol study and environmental health research, strongly suggest that the complex milieu of the circulation - and its ultimate inflammatory potential - should be addressed in functional, holistic assessments.