Browsing by Subject "Inflammaging"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Central and Peripheral Inflammation: A Common Factor Causing Addictive and Neurological Disorders and Aging-Related Pathologie
    (MDPI, 2023-06-13) Escobar, Angélica P.; Bonansco, Christian; Cruz, Gonzalo; Dagnino-Subiabre, Alexies; Fuenzalida, Marco; Negrón, Ignacio; Sotomayor-Zárate, Ramón; Martínez-Pinto, Jonathan; Jorquera, Gonzalo; Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine
    Many diseases and degenerative processes affecting the nervous system and peripheral organs trigger the activation of inflammatory cascades. Inflammation can be triggered by different environmental conditions or risk factors, including drug and food addiction, stress, and aging, among others. Several pieces of evidence show that the modern lifestyle and, more recently, the confinement associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to increasing the incidence of addictive and neuropsychiatric disorders, plus cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we gather evidence on how some of these risk factors are implicated in activating central and peripheral inflammation contributing to some neuropathologies and behaviors associated with poor health. We discuss the current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of inflammation and how these processes occur in different cells and tissues to promote ill health and diseases. Concomitantly, we discuss how some pathology-associated and addictive behaviors contribute to worsening these inflammation mechanisms, leading to a vicious cycle that promotes disease progression. Finally, we list some drugs targeting inflammation-related pathways that may have beneficial effects on the pathological processes associated with addictive, mental, and cardiometabolic illnesses.
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    Characterization of age-associated inflammasome activation reveals tissue specific differences in transcriptional and post-translational inflammatory responses
    (Springer Nature, 2024-09-10) Talley, Sarah; Nguyen, Tyler; Van Ye, Lily; Valiauga, Rasa; DeCarlo, Jake; Mustafa, Jabra; Cook, Benjamin; White, Fletcher A.; Campbell, Edward M.; Anesthesia, School of Medicine
    Aging is associated with systemic chronic, low-grade inflammation, termed 'inflammaging'. This pattern of inflammation is multifactorial and is driven by numerous inflammatory pathways, including the inflammasome. However, most studies to date have examined changes in the transcriptomes that are associated with aging and inflammaging, despite the fact that inflammasome activation is driven by a series of post-translational activation steps, culminating in the cleavage and activation of caspase-1. Here, we utilized transgenic mice expressing a caspase-1 biosensor to examine age-associated inflammasome activation in various organs and tissues to define these post-translational manifestations of inflammaging. Consistent with other studies, we observe increased inflammation, including inflammasome activation, in aged mice and specific tissues. However, we note that the degree of inflammasome activation is not uniformly associated with transcriptional changes commonly used as a surrogate for inflammasome activation in tissues. Furthermore, we used a skull thinning technique to monitor central nervous system inflammasome activation in vivo in aged mice and found that neuroinflammation is significantly amplified in aged mice in response to endotoxin challenge. Together, these data reveal that inflammaging is associated with both transcriptional and post-translational inflammatory pathways that are not uniform between tissues and establish new methodologies for measuring age-associated inflammasome activation in vivo and ex vivo.
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    Mind the Gap: Unraveling the Intricate Dance Between Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Bone Health
    (Springer, 2024) Karnik, Sonali J.; Margetts, Tyler J.; Wang, Hannah S.; Movila, Alexandru; Oblak, Adrian L.; Fehrenbacher, Jill C.; Kacena, Melissa A.; Plotkin, Lilian I.; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
    Purpose of review: This review examines the linked pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease/related dementia (AD/ADRD) and bone disorders like osteoporosis. The emphasis is on "inflammaging"-a low-level inflammation common to both, and its implications in an aging population. Recent findings: Aging intensifies both ADRD and bone deterioration. Notably, ADRD patients have a heightened fracture risk, impacting morbidity and mortality, though it is uncertain if fractures worsen ADRD. Therapeutically, agents targeting inflammation pathways, especially Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and TNF-α, appear beneficial for both conditions. Additionally, treatments like Sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1), known for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, are gaining attention. The interconnectedness of AD/ADRD and bone health necessitates a unified treatment approach. By addressing shared mechanisms, we can potentially transform therapeutic strategies, enriching our understanding and refining care in our aging society. This review article is part of a series of multiple manuscripts designed to determine the utility of using artificial intelligence for writing scientific reviews.