We have been conducting researches on FPP on the theme of "Healthy Aging", aimed at achieving to reduce medical costs though preventive medicine.

The aging process is paralleled by two- to fourfold increases in plasma/serum levels of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and acute-phase proteins. In this study we assessed the inflammatory profile and polymorphism of healthy elderly subjects and the influence of a nutraceutical supplement. Forty elderly, generally healthy subjects were recruited, divided into two matched groups, and given either a fermented papaya preparation 9 g/day by mouth or the same amount of placebo.

Treatments were carried out in a cross-over manner with a 3-month supplementation period followed by a 6-week washout period between treatments. Ten healthy young subjects served as controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter −174 G/C polymorphism genotype was determined

together with blood levels for redox status, proinflammatory cytokines, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and serum 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) concentrations. Tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 were higher in elderly subjects (P<0.05 versus young controls). The concentration of Hsp70 inversely correlated with markers of inflammation in −174 G/C-negative subjects (r = 0.62, P<0.05). Nutraceutical intervention normalized the inflammatory parameters (P<0.05) with a rise of Hsp70

(P<0.05). This suggests that healthy elderly individuals may have a proinflammatory profile playing as a downregulating factor for inducible Hsp70, particularly if −174 G/C-negative. A nutraceutical intervention seems able to beneficially modulate such a phenomenon.

Effect of FPP supplementation on IL-6, TNF-α, and Hsp70 in an elderly population.
C, young controls; 　A, elderly control subjects; 　A+FPP, elderly subjects supplemented with FPP.
∗*P<0.05 vs. young controls; ∗∗**P<0.05 vs. elderly control subjects.