Circulating leptin and adiponectin concentrations in healthy exceptional longevity

Abstract

People reaching exceptional longevity free of major age-related diseases represent the paradigm of successful aging. Adipose tissue function declines as we age, potentially resulting in changes of circulating adipokines (e.g., leptin and adiponectin). Here, we measured circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin in healthy centenarians (n=81; 100-104 years) and younger elderly controls (n=46; 70-80 years). Centenarians had significant higher serum levels of leptin compared with controls (p<0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed for adiponectin. Further research including also other blood variables will be needed to elucidate whether high leptin levels could serve as a hallmark of healthy exceptional longevity.