What is the Origin of Inflammaging and Hormonal Decline?

This is a modern construct within geroscience and endocrinology, combining the term "inflammaging," coined to describe the inflammatory component of aging, with the well-documented phenomenon of "hormonal decline" (e.g., somatopause, andropause). The field emerged as research demonstrated that inflammation is not just a consequence of aging but a fundamental driver of endocrine disruption and subsequent organ dysfunction.

What is the Mechanism of Inflammaging and Hormonal Decline?

Chronic inflammatory signals, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), interfere with the signaling cascades in the hypothalamus and pituitary, directly inhibiting the release of releasing hormones and trophic factors. This central disruption leads to decreased production of peripheral hormones like growth hormone, testosterone, and DHEA. Furthermore, inflammation can induce peripheral insulin resistance and increase the metabolic clearance rate of some steroids, compounding the functional hormonal deficit at the tissue level.

Inflammaging and Hormonal Decline ∞ Area

Inflammaging and Hormonal Decline

Meaning

This term describes the pathological, chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation (inflammaging) that is intimately linked to the progressive decrease in function and concentration of key hormones (hormonal decline) seen with advancing age. Inflammaging is characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, which directly contribute to the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes, impairing the synthesis and action of anabolic hormones. This synergistic decline accelerates the onset of age-related diseases and frailty.