Effect of aging on some tissues and organs in Nigerians

Abstract

This study was designed to use serum biochemical parameters as markers of impact of aging on some tissues and organs. One hundred apparently healthy ambulant individuals aged 20-89 were used for the study. They were divided into different age groups of 70-89(A), 60-69(B), 50-59(C) and 20-49(D) years. Blood samples collected from the subjects were used for the determinations of serum alkaline phosphatase activity, creatinine, urea and albumin concentrations by standard routine laboratory methods. The results showed significant differences in mean serum concentration of creatinine in group ‘A' (p<0.02) and group C(p<0.01) compared with group ‘D' respectively. Similarly, the mean serum urea concentration was significantly different amongst the different age groupings – (‘a' p<0.05, ‘B' p<0.01, ‘C' p<0.02) compared with group ‘D' respectively. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity and albumin concentration showed significant changes in group ‘B' (p<0.05 and p<0.01) for each case when compared with corresponding value in group ‘D'. A strong positive correlation was observed between age and urea, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase activity in the studied population. The present study observed possible compromise of the renal glomerular filtration rate and active degeneration of the connective tissue but no possible signs of malnutrition as effect of aging on tissue and organ system studied.


Key Word: age, urea, creatinine, albumin and alkaline phosphatase.


Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.1 2003:4-9