Papers

Scientific reports | 03-03-2017 | Abstract High-fat diets (HFD) are thought to contribute to the development of metabolism-related diseases. The long-term impact of HFD may be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, and indeed, HFD has been reported to induce DNA methylation changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) near metabolism related genes. However, previous studies were limited to a single WAT depot, a single time-point and primarily examined the pre-pubertal period. To define dynamic DNA [...]

Experimental Gerontology | April 2017 | Abstract Populations of laboratory animals that are selected for increased lifespan often show negative correlated responses in early fecundity. However, late fecundity and/or total lifetime fecundity can be higher in the populations selected for increased lifespan. This has been interpreted by some as being at odds with the disposable soma theory, which predicts decreased lifespan to increase total reproductive output. Alternatively, the Y–model explores the effects of variation [...]

Osteoporosis International: with other metabolic bone diseases | 12-04-2017 | Abstract We studied the relation between a diet that is high in acid-forming nutrients (e.g. proteins) and low in base-forming nutrients (e.g. potassium) and bone structure. We showed a negative relation, which was more prominent if proteins were of animal rather than of vegetable origin and if intake of dietary fibre was high. Introduction: Studies on dietary acid load (DAL) and fractures have [...]

Cilincal Nutrition  | 12-05-2017 | Abstract Background & aims: Adequate protein intake is important in preventing and treating undernutrition. Hospitalized older patients are recommended to consume 1.2e1.5 g of protein per kg body weight per day (g/kg/d) but most of them fail to do so. Therefore, we investigated whether a range of newly developed protein-enriched familiar foods and drinks were effective in increasing protein intake of hospitalized older patients. Methods: This randomized controlled [...]

JAMDA | 01-06-2017 |   Abstract Objectives: To examine the association between long-term adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet with cognitive function and decline in older American women. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: The Nurses’ Health Study, a cohort of registered nurses residing in 11 US states. Participants: A total of 16,144 women from the Nurses’ Health Study, aged _70 years, who underwent cognitive testing a total of 4 [...]

Clinical Nutrition | 26-03-2017 | Abstract Background & aims: Oral supplementation with vitamin D is recommended for older adults to maintain a sufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status throughout the year. While supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3 is most common, alternative treatment regimens exist which require further investigation with respect to increasing 25(OH)D concentration. We investigated the doseeresponse effects of supplementation with calcifediol compared to vitamin D3 and assessed the dose which results [...]

The Journal of Gerontology  | 09-05-2017 | Abstract As with many other tissues and organs, the immune system is also affected by age. Immunosenescence is characterized by a decreased ability of immune cells to mount a productive response upon exposure to new antigens. Several studies have reported that members of families with exceptional longevity show improved immune function, which might contribute to the increased life- and health-span observed in those families. Autophagy is [...]

Nature Communications | 13-06-2017 | Abstract: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases with age. Cellular senescence refers to a state of irreversible cell-cycle arrest combined with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial dysfunction. Senescent cells contribute to age-related tissue degeneration. Here we show that the accumulation of senescent cells promotes hepatic fat accumulation and steatosis. We report a close correlation between hepatic fat accumulation and markers of hepatocyte senescence. The [...]

European Historical Population Samples Network  | 31-01-2017 | Abstract The limits to human lifespan are a widely discussed topic. Yet, later-life mortality and longevity are generally studied from a genetic perspective, while the social dimension has received less attention. This paper gives a systematic overview of trends in later-life mortality and longevity for cohorts that were born in the late 18th and 19th century, and shows that the average population and the top survivors [...]

Cell  | March 2017 | Abstract The accumulation of irreparable cellular damage restricts healthspan after acute stress or natural aging. Senescent cells are thought to impair tissue function and their genetic clearance can delay features of aging. Identifying how senescent cells avoid apoptosis allows for the prospective design of anti-senescence compounds to address whether homeostasis can also be restored. Here, we identify FOXO4 as a pivot in senescent cell viability. We designed a FOXO4 peptide [...]