Characterization and redox mechanism of asthma in the elderly

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by reversible airflow limitation, coughing, bronchial constriction, and an inflammatory immune response. While asthma has frequently been categorized as emerging in childhood, evidence has begun to reveal that the elderly population is certainly susceptible to late-onset, or even long-standing asthma. Non-atopic asthma, most commonly found in elderly patients is associated with elevated levels of serum and sputum neutrophils and may be more detrimental than atopic asthma. The mortality of asthma is high in the elderly since these patients often possess more severe symptoms than younger populations. The redox mechanisms that mediate inflammatory reactions during asthma have not been thoroughly interpreted in the context of aging. Thus, we review the asthmatic symptoms related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in seniors. Moreover, immune status in the elderly is weakened in part by immunosenescence, which is broadly defined as the decline in functionality of the immune system that corresponds with increasing age. The effects of immunosenescence on the expression of biomarkers potentially utilized in the clinical diagnosis of asthma remain unclear. It has also been shown that existing asthma treatments are less effective in the elderly. Thus, it is necessary that clinicians approach the diagnosis and treatment of asthmatic senior patients using innovative methods. Asthma in the elderly demands more intentional diagnostic and therapeutic research since it is potentially one of the few causes of mortality and morbidity in the elderly that is largely reversible.

Keywords: Gerotarget; aging; allergic; inflammation; oxidative stress; respiratory.

Figure 1. This schematic highlights the common factors that lead to underdiagnosis of asthma in the elderly population

Abbreviations: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Figure 2. This schematic demonstrates the effect of immunosenescence on parts of the innate and adaptive immune systems

Abbreviations: IFNγ (interferon-γ); IL (interleukin); NK (natural killer); ROS (reactive oxygen species); TLR (toll-like receptor); TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α).