Opposite effects of interleukin 10 common gene polymorphisms in cardiovascular diseases and in successful ageing: genetic background of male centenarians is protective against coronary heart disease

Abstract

Centenarians escape, or at least have a delay in, age associated diseases that normally cause mortality at earlier ages. Considerable evidence supports the involvement of genetic components to longevity. Accordingly, the siblings of centenarians have a markedly increased probability of living to 100 years of age. A recent study showed that the offspring of centenarians had a markedly reduced prevalence of age associated diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors. On the other hand, this is not unexpected in view of the fact that cardiovascular diseases account for about 50% of all deaths worldwide.1–3 ### Key points