Coperchini Francesca, Greco Alessia, Teliti Marsida, Croce Laura, Chytiris Spyridon, Magri Flavia, Gaetano Carlo, Rotondi Mario
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy.
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia 27100, Italy.
Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2025 Apr;82:31-42. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.08.004. Epub 2024 Sep 2.
Population ageing is increasing in prevalence in most developed countries. Ageing is the decline of functional properties at the cellular, tissue, and organ level. Biochemical changes that occur in all organisms that experience biological ageing are referred to as the "Hallmarks of ageing". Inflammation is a common denominator of the hallmarks of ageing, being mechanistically involved in most age-related health consequences. Inflamm-ageing refers to age-related changes in the inflammatory and immune systems which somehow drive the ageing process towards healthy or unhealthy ageing. Current evidences, support that, reversing the age-related pro-inflammatory status of inflamm-ageing, is able to modulate most hallmarks of ageing. Inflamm-ageing is associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g. cytokines, chemokines), ultimately producing a chronic low-grade inflammatory state typically observed in older individuals. It is commonly accepted that, the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines is one of the factors determining whether healthy or unhealthy ageing occurs. Malnutrition and nutritional imbalances, are highly prevalent in the elderly, playing a role in driving the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immunoactive molecules. In particular, malnutrition is a major risk factor for sarcopenia, a phenomenon characterized by loss of muscle mass, which is often referred to as the biological basis for frailty. Given the close relationship between malnutrition and sarcopenia, there is also evidence for a link between malnutrition and frailty. Indeed, changes in cytokine/chemokine levels in elderly patients with malnutrition were demonstrated. The demonstration that specific cytokines play a role in modulating appetite and nutrient sensing and taste reception, provided further evidence for the existence of a link between inflamm-ageing, nutrition and cytokines in shaping the trajectory of ageing. The present review will overview current evidence supporting the role of specific circulating cytokines and chemokines in the relationship between ageing, inflammation, and malnutrition.
在大多数发达国家，人口老龄化的发生率正在上升。衰老是细胞、组织和器官水平上功能特性的衰退。所有经历生物衰老的生物体中发生的生化变化被称为“衰老的特征”。炎症是衰老特征的一个共同因素，在大多数与年龄相关的健康后果中起着机制性作用。炎症衰老指的是炎症和免疫系统中与年龄相关的变化，这些变化以某种方式推动衰老过程朝着健康或不健康的方向发展。目前的证据支持，逆转炎症衰老中与年龄相关的促炎状态，能够调节衰老的大多数特征。炎症衰老与促炎分子（如细胞因子、趋化因子）水平的升高有关，最终产生一种在老年人中常见的慢性低度炎症状态。人们普遍认为，促炎和抗炎细胞因子/趋化因子之间的平衡是决定健康或不健康衰老是否发生的因素之一。营养不良和营养失衡在老年人中非常普遍，在驱动促炎和抗炎免疫活性分子的平衡中发挥作用。特别是，营养不良是肌肉减少症的一个主要危险因素，肌肉减少症是一种以肌肉质量丧失为特征的现象，常被称为虚弱的生物学基础。鉴于营养不良与肌肉减少症之间的密切关系，也有证据表明营养不良与虚弱之间存在联系。事实上，已证实营养不良老年患者的细胞因子/趋化因子水平发生了变化。特定细胞因子在调节食欲、营养感知和味觉感受中发挥作用的证明，为炎症衰老、营养和细胞因子在塑造衰老轨迹方面存在联系提供了进一步证据。本综述将概述当前支持特定循环细胞因子和趋化因子在衰老、炎症和营养不良关系中作用的证据。
