ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the methylation of p16 gene and human longevity.MethodsThe methylation specific polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the methylation status of p16 gene in 156 long-lived healthy Zhuang ethnic group people (aged 90-105 years,mean 93.2 years,long-lived group,LG) and 142 healthy controls (aged 20-72 years,mean 34.8 years,control group,CG) from Bama area. The difference in p16 gene methylation between the two groups was analyzed to study the role of p16 gene methylation in human longevity. ResultsThe methylation of p16 gene was more frequent in CG than in LG. ConclusionThe methylation of p16 gene is less frequent in long-lived Zhuang ethnic group elderly people in Bama area.