The proBNPage reduction (PBAR) trial-results of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study to fine tune an NT-proBNP-based method to assess the effect of anti-aging treatments

NT-proBNP levels increase exponentially with age and are associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. From NT-proBNP concentration a surrogate for biological age (“proBNPage”) can be obtained. The primary objective of this study was to define a method to design future trials on anti-aging treatments using proBNPage. The secondary objective was the tentative evaluation of 4 potential anti-aging dietary supplements. The trial lasted 2 years and involved 120 healthy subjects aged 71.7 ± 4.6 years divided into 3 groups: A) coenzyme Q10 100 mg bid + selenium 100 mcg, B) resveratrol 350 mg bid + TA-65 100U, C) placebo. ProBNPage was the primary outcome variable. Secondary variables included step test duration, handgrip strength, and self-reported health status. In group B, the study was interrupted at month 5 due to significant LDL-cholesterol increase, probably caused by the high-dose resveratrol. Partly because of dropouts and inadequate treatment intake, groups A and C showed non-significant differences in the primary and secondary variables. Therefore, these groups were considered a single group, in which after 2 years proBNPage increased by 2.5 years (P = 0.01), particularly in subjects over 70 (+ 3.0 years, P = 0.009). It was thus calculated that 126 subjects over 70 could allow the assessment of a 2-year treatment vs. placebo with a power of 80%. This study has developed an NT-proBNP-based method to evaluate future interventions on biological age. The treatments did not induce significant changes in proBNPage. The marked increase in cholesterol in group B suggests that high-dose resveratrol should be avoided.