Improving Neutrophil responses in the healthy elderly

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A study of the effects of Simvastatin on neutrophil function in elderly subjects

• IRAS ID

  71860

• Contact name

  David Thickett

• Eudract number

  2011-002082-38

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  n/a

• Research summary

  The efficiency of the immune system declines with age (immunosenescence) with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from infection in the elderly. The increased incidence of bacterial infections in older adults is particularly suggestive of a sub-optimal neutrophil response, as these leucocytes form the primary cellular response to bacterial infections. Comparison of neutrophils from healthy young and older adults has shown that bactericidal (superoxide generation), phagocytic function and neutrophil migration (movement towards inflammation and infection) are dramatically reduced in neutrophils from older adults. HMGCoA reductase inhibitors (commonly known as statins) are well-tolerated medications taken by millions of people worldwide to reduced cholesterol levels in the blood. Experimental and clinical research suggests that statins may improve outcomes after severe infections, and a recent study reported decreased mortality from pneumonia in patients receiving statins. Preliminary data from our laboratories have shown clearly that statins have direct effects on neutrophil migration, enhancing migrational accuracy in older subjects. This is highly important, as, in theory, if neutrophil migration could be more controlled and effective in older subjects using a well-tolerated treatment such as simvastatin, their response (and associated mortality and morbidity) to infections should improve, as well as providing other recognised cardiovascular benefits. The effect of statins on neutrophil bacterial clearance is unknown.We would like to study the effects of taking statins on neutrophils function, by placing healthy elderly subjects on either Simvastatin (at a standard treatment dose) or a placebo for two weeks, and then taking a sample of blood to isolate neutrophils and then test if their neutrophil responses improve on Statin therapy, in terms of migration, and clearance of bacteria (as our preliminary data predicts).

• REC name

  South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  11/SC/0356

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Oct 2011

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion