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Published on: February 20, 2019
Inflammageing, a targetable pathway for preventing cardiovascular diseases
Juan Francisco Aranda1, Cristina M Ramírez2, María Mittelbrunn3
1Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, C. de José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Inflammaging, chronic inflammation in aging, drives age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease (CVD). Understanding its causes and consequences is key to developing interventions for healthier aging and preventing conditions such as atherosclerosis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Inflammaging, persistent chronic inflammation in older adults, is a significant risk factor for major age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline.
- Elevated inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, are hallmarks of inflammaging and serve as biomarkers for biological aging.
- Factors contributing to inflammaging include immune system decline, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and the accumulation of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted causes and detrimental consequences of inflammaging.
- To specifically examine the role of inflammaging in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for mitigating inflammaging and its impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) onset and progression.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of scientific articles and research studies.
- Analysis of current understanding regarding the biological mechanisms underlying inflammaging.
- Synthesis of evidence linking inflammaging to specific age-related cardiovascular conditions.
Main Results:
- Inflammaging is a complex biological process driven by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
- A strong correlation exists between inflammaging markers and the development and severity of atherosclerosis and HFpEF.
- Genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle factors significantly influence the trajectory of inflammaging.
Conclusions:
- Inflammaging is a central mechanism in the aging process, significantly contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Targeting inflammaging pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for preventing and managing age-related cardiovascular diseases.
- Further research into mitigation strategies is crucial for promoting healthy aging and reducing the global burden of chronic diseases.
Abstract:
Inflammageing, characterized by persistent chronic inflammation in older adults, has emerged as a critical factor linked to age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline, which collectively contribute to the leading causes of death globally. Elevated levels of cytokines, chemokines, and other inflammatory mediators characterize inflammageing and serve as indicators of biological age. Among the causes of inflammageing, deterioration of the immune system, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysbiosis, accumulation of DAMPs, together with genetic or epigenetic factors, contribute to inflammageing not only in CVD but also in other age-related conditions. This review examines the causes and consequences of inflammageing, particularly its implications for atherosclerosis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and explores potential strategies to mitigate it in the onset of CVD.
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