What is the Origin of Andropause Inflammation?

The term combines 'andropause,' a clinical term describing age-related testosterone decline, with 'inflammation,' from the Latin inflammatio meaning 'to set on fire.' This pairing reflects a modern understanding in endocrinology that hormonal shifts are not isolated events but are deeply intertwined with the immune system's regulatory state. It highlights a critical intersection in male health and longevity.

What is the Mechanism of Andropause Inflammation?

Reduced testosterone, a hormone with established anti-inflammatory properties, diminishes its suppressive effect on immune cells. This hormonal change permits the increased transcription and secretion of inflammatory mediators, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), from adipose tissue and senescent cells. This persistent inflammatory signaling, or 'inflammaging,' accelerates age-related tissue degradation and contributes to insulin resistance, further compounding the hormonal imbalance.

Andropause Inflammation ∞ Area

Andropause Inflammation

Meaning

This clinical concept describes the state of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation often observed in aging males concurrent with the progressive decline in androgen levels, a condition clinically termed andropause or late-onset hypogonadism. This inflammatory burden is characterized by elevated circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to metabolic dysfunction and sarcopenia. The phenomenon represents a significant link between the endocrine system and immunosenescence.