X-Message-Number: 25710
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 05:20:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: life extension possible for centenarians?

[The following suggests an intervention for reducing mortality in
centenarians. Don't forget to add some vitamin K2!]

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Nov;88(11):5109-15.
Low vitamin D status, high bone turnover, and bone fractures in centenarians.
  The oldest olds, including centenarians, are increasing worldwide and,
in the near future, will represent a consistent part of the population.
We have studied bone status and metabolism in 104 subjects over 98 yr of
age to evaluate possible interventions able to avoid fragility fractures
and disability. Ninety females and 14 males not affected by any acute
disease were considered. After a complete clinical assessment, blood was
drawn for evaluating bone turnover markers, and performance tests
together with skeletal ultrasonography (either at the phalanges or at the
heel) were performed. We found that 38 subjects had sustained a total of
55 fractures throughout their lives, and 75% of these were fragility
fractures. Twenty-eight fractures occurred at the proximal femur, with 14
after the age of 94 yr. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was undetectable in 99
of 104 centenarians. PTH and serum C-terminal fragment of collagen type I
were elevated in 64 and 90% of centenarians, respectively, with a trend
toward hypocalcemia. Bone alkaline phosphatase levels were close to the
upper limit. Serum IL-6 was elevated in 81% of centenarians and was
positively correlated with PTH and negatively correlated with serum
calcium. Serum creatinine was not correlated with PTH. Bone
ultrasonography showed that most centenarians had low values, and
ultrasonographic parameters were correlated with resorption markers. We
conclude that the extreme decades of life are characterized by a
pathophysiological sequence of events linking vitamin D deficiency, low
serum calcium, and secondary hyperparathyroidism with an increase in bone
resorption and severe osteopenia. These data offer a rationale for the
possible prevention of elevated bone turnover, bone loss, and
consequently the reduction of osteoporotic fractures and fracture-induced
disability in the oldest olds through the supplementation with calcium
and vitamin D.

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