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Inflammaging

Meaning

Inflammaging is a portmanteau term describing the chronic, low-grade, sterile, and systemic inflammation that characterizes the aging process, even in the absence of overt infection or autoimmune disease. This persistent inflammatory state is driven by the accumulation of senescent cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and a dysregulated innate immune system, leading to the continuous, low-level release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Inflammaging is a major driver of age-related diseases and directly contributes to endocrine resistance, particularly insulin and leptin resistance.