Effect of aging on lipid metabolism.

The effects of aging upon lipid metabolism were analysed on the facts obtained by epidemiological and experimental studies. The meann cholosterol and triglyceride concentrations increased with age up to the age of 55, then gradually fell as age advanced. Between the subjects grouped by the age under 50 and over 60 years, no difference was seen in the response of blood glucose, FFA, and IRI to oral glucose loading, and also in post-heparin lipolytic activity. But the mean dietary intake in terms of total calorie and carbo hydrate intake, and also the FFA release from abdominal adipose tissue decreased, though slightly, in the aged. These indicated that the decrease in supply of endogenous as well as exogenous materials for lipogenesis was the possible cause for the lowered metabolism of lipid in the aged.