Cross-sectional study investigates 'pro-youthful' and 'pro-aging' blood factors in healthy young and old adults

Aging is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other dementias, yet the precise mechanisms linking them remain unknown. Current AD therapies poorly target aging pathways. This study addresses this gap by investigating specific "pro-youthful" (e.g., GDF-11, oxytocin) and "pro-aging" (e.g., CCL2, Haptoglobine) blood factors, previously identified in animal models, to understand their changes in human aging and potential roles in AD pathogenesis.

This proof-of-concept cross-sectional study measured specific blood factors in healthy human participants across extreme age groups. Participants included young adults (18-25 yo) and old adults (≥70 yo). Additionally, human umbilical cord blood and plasma from teenagers were included from a previous study to broaden the age range. The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that 'pro-youthful' (GDF-11, CSF2, TIMP-2, oxytocin) and 'pro-aging' (CCL2, CCL11, CCL19, Haptoglobine, B2-microglobuline) blood factors change with age. The ultimate goal is to identify promising biomarkers for future larger studies.