Inflammation markers are quantifiable biochemical substances in the blood or other bodily fluids whose concentrations change in response to systemic inflammation, tissue injury, or infection. These markers serve as clinical indicators of the body’s acute or chronic immune response, reflecting the degree of physiological stress and potential pathology. Common examples include C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and various cytokines. In hormonal health, elevated inflammation markers often signal an underlying chronic stressor or metabolic dysfunction that can negatively impact endocrine signaling and overall longevity.
Origin
The concept of measuring biological indicators of disease dates back to early medicine, but the precise identification and quantification of specific “inflammation markers” emerged with advances in clinical chemistry and immunology in the 20th century. The discovery of acute-phase proteins like CRP provided a measurable, objective index of systemic inflammation. The term is now integral to clinical diagnostics, bridging the gap between subjective symptoms and objective physiological reality.
Mechanism
The elevation of inflammation markers is a consequence of the immune system’s response to cellular damage or pathogenic invasion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), are released by immune cells at the site of injury. These cytokines travel to the liver, where they trigger the synthesis and release of acute-phase reactants, like CRP, into the circulation. The concentration of these circulating markers, therefore, directly correlates with the intensity and duration of the underlying inflammatory process. Measuring these molecules allows clinicians to assess the body’s current inflammatory burden.
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