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Pro-Inflammatory Pathways

Meaning

Pro-Inflammatory Pathways are the complex, interconnected cellular and molecular signaling cascades that are activated in response to stress, injury, infection, or metabolic dysfunction, leading to the initiation and propagation of the inflammatory response. Key pathways include the NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades, which promote the transcription of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Chronic activation of these pathways, often termed “inflammaging,” is a central driver of hormonal resistance and age-related decline, significantly impacting metabolic and endocrine health.