A Systemic Inflammation Assay is a laboratory test designed to quantitatively measure circulating biomarkers that reflect the level of chronic, low-grade inflammation present throughout the entire body. The most common and clinically relevant marker in this context is high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which is a non-specific acute-phase reactant. Elevated results from this assay serve as a critical warning sign for increased subclinical risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and accelerated biological aging.
Origin
The development of assays for inflammatory markers is rooted in clinical pathology, with the discovery of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the 1930s. The refinement to a ‘high-sensitivity’ (hs-CRP) assay in the late 20th century allowed for the precise measurement of the low-grade, chronic inflammation associated with asymptomatic disease states. The term ‘systemic’ emphasizes the body-wide, non-localized nature of the inflammatory process being measured.
Mechanism
The assay functions by measuring the concentration of acute-phase reactants, primarily proteins synthesized by the liver in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α). Chronic inflammation, even at low levels, signals a persistent state of cellular stress and immune activation that contributes to endothelial dysfunction and hormonal resistance. The assay provides an objective, quantitative metric for guiding targeted anti-inflammatory interventions, such as specific supplementation, dietary changes, or hormonal optimization.
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