Evaluation of the possible association of Body Mass Index and four metabolic gene polymorphisms with longevity in an Italian cohort: a role forAPOE, eNOS, andFTOgene polymorphisms

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundlongevity is considered the result of interactions between environmental and genetic factors.Aimwe investigated the possible association of body mass index and the frequencies ofAPOE, ACE, eNOS, andFTOgene polymorphisms with longevity.Subjects and Method1,100 healthy volunteers aged 10-100 were recruited. We genotyped subjects forAPOE, ACE, eNOS, andFTOgene polymorphisms. Data about height and weight were also collected. The sample was split in four age groups: 1-24, 25-49, 50-85 and 86-100.Resultssignificant differences were found in BMI values between age groups, with exception of 1-24 with respect to 86-100. A significant decrease of theAPO E4, eNOS 393andFTO Aand allele frequencies was observed in the 86-100 age group with respect to younger groups. ForACEgene, no significant differences were found in the allele frequencies between groups. A similar trend was also observed subdividing the sample in two main age groups: 1-85 and 86-100.Conclusionthis study provides evidences for a role ofAPOE, eNOS, andFTOgene polymorphisms in longevity. It has been estimated that the number of centenarians worldwide will double each decade until 2100, making population data about gene polymorphisms relevant for further studies about longevity.