INTRODUCTION: The functional capacity and overall functionality of the elderly is defined as the capacity to manage their lives or take care of yourself, which is influenced by the degree of autonomy and independence of the individual. In search of understanding of the mechanisms involved in healthy aging and maintenance of functional independence, several studies try to identify candidate genes that may establish the association of genotype with phenotype studied physical fitness and the decline and loss of independence in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between the variability of polymorphisms on biomarkers of aging (TP53, MDM2, UCP2, HLA-G, IL-1a, IL-4 and NFkB1) with the functional capacity of the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a comparative analytical cross-sectional study, developed from the clinical and functional evaluation and analysis of polymorphisms on biomarkers of aging. The clinical and functional analysis included an assessment of functional capabilities: basic activity of daily living (ABVD), instrumental activities of daily living (AIVD), advanced activities of daily living (AAVD) and functional status (PS-ECOG) functional systems: cognition (MEEM), humor (GDS-15), mobility (TUG) and risk of falls (TT), Nutritional Status (MAN) and Sarcopenia risk (PP). Eight polymorphisms were included (two TP53, MDM2, UCP2, HLA-G, IL-1a, IL-4 and NFkB1) were genotyped by a multiplex PCR reaction followed by capillary electrophoresis. Analysis of PCR amplicons was performed by electrophoresis using the ABI Prism sequencer 3130 and GeneMapper ID v.3.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 228 elderly, mostly women (62%), with about 70 years old on average, with an average comorbidity index of 4.48 (± 2.44) points, sedentary (53%), with a history smoking (58%) and possessing a predominantly European ancestry. It was found that polymorphisms of the TP53 gene, UCP2, HLA-G, IL-1a, IL-4 and NFkB1 significant differences in functional variables between genotypes. The variables that most differed between genotypes were functional status (PS-ECOG), mobility (TUG), risk of falls (TT) and the risk of sarcopenia (PP). This suggested a possible association of these polymorphisms with risk factors or protection, which in most cases were not significant. The NFkB1 gene polymorphism (rs28362491) was the only biomarkers that demonstrated significant association results. The II genotype of this polymorphism was associated with risk of sarcopenia (PP). The elderly who had this genotype showed a three-fold greater susceptibility to muscle loss related to aging, when compared to other genotypes of the same gene. CONCLUSION: Therefore, considering the results of this study, it is believed that the use of biomarkers of aging, as a population screening test may favor the identification of elderly patients with increased susceptibility to the development of organic modifications and functional disabilities. The identification of this risk allows the targeting of strategies for prevention, control and treatment of disabilities linked to physiological or pathological aging.
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