Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

¹Antalya AraÅŸtırma ve EÄŸitim Hastanesi İç Hastalıkları Allerji-Klinik Ä°mmünoloji Birimi ANTALYA
²Akdeniz Ãœniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Allerji-Klinik Ä°mmünoloji Birimi, ANTALYA
³Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Transplant Research Division, Ontario, Toronto, Kanada Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of psychological, and social change. In biology, senescence is the state or process of aging. Old age is considered to begin approximately at the age of 60 due to UN's report in 1980. According to the remodeling theory, in the elderly, as acquired immunity deteriorates, natural immunity is preserved. Antigen bombardment during lifetime increases effector T cells, but naive T cell count decreases. So in the process of aging, T cell repertory narrows. There are studies showing that dendritic cells are less effective in stimulating T and B cells. Information about polmorfonuclear leukocytes, B cells, and T regulatory cells in the elderly is limited. Micronutrients and especially zinc has important effects on immune functions. It is suggested that ghrelin hormone has an effect on energy balance and also acts as an antiinflamatory mediator to modulate immune responses directly. Keywords : Aging; Longitudinal Studies; Immunity, Humoral; Immunity, Cellular