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Paraoxonase Activity and Genotype Predispose to Successful Aging

¹ Center of Molecular Biology and Genetics, ² Diabetology Unit, and ³ Center of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
⁴ University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
⁵ Department of Experimental Pathology and Interdepartmental Center "Galvani" (CIG), Bologna University, Italy.

Address correspondence to Francesca Marchegiani, PhD, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetics, INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, 60121, Ancona, Italy. E-mail: b.molecolare{at}inrca.it

The paraoxonase 1 codon 192 R allele has been previously reported to have a role in successful aging. The relationship between PON1 genotypes, enzymatic activity, and mass concentration was evaluated in a group of 229 participants from 22 to 104 years of age, focusing our attention on nonagenarian/centenarian participants. We found a genetic control for paraoxonase activity that is maintained throughout life, also in the nonagenarians/centenarians. This activity decreases significantly during aging and shows different mean values among R and M carriers, where R+ and M– carriers have the significant highest paraoxonase activity. Results from the multinomial regression logistic model show that paraoxonase activity as well as R+ and M– carriers contribute significantly to the explanation of the longevity phenotype. In conclusion, we show that genetic variability at the PON1 locus is related to paraoxonase activity throughout life, and suggest that both parameters affect survival at extreme advanced age.