Inflammation and Ageing: New Study Challenges Conventional Beliefs

New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) — Recent research suggests that inflammation might not solely be linked to ageing and could be a result of industrialised lifestyles. Scientists have discovered high inflammation levels in two indigenous groups that did not increase with age or lead to chronic conditions.

The study, published in Nature Aging, challenges the current understanding of inflammation associated with ageing, often termed "inflammaging.” The researchers propose that this could be due to a difference between our immune systems and industrial environments. According to lead author Alan Cohen, associate professor at Columbia University, "Inflammaging might not directly result from ageing but could be a response to industrialised conditions."

Cohen emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that considers cultural, environmental, and lifestyle factors when studying ageing processes. "In industrial settings, there's a clear link between inflammaging and diseases like chronic kidney disease," he said. "In populations with high infection rates, inflammation seems more related to the burden of infectious diseases rather than ageing itself," Cohen added.

The research examined four populations: two industrialised ones from Italy and Singapore, and two indigenous, non-industrialised groups – the Tsimane from the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli from peninsular Malaysia. The results showed that ageing-related inflammation was similar in the industrialised populations but did not apply to the indigenous groups, where inflammation was mainly driven by infections rather than age.

Moreover, the indigenous communities' inflammation did not escalate with age and was not linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or Alzheimer's, typically seen in modern societies. "Inflammaging in these cohorts appears to be mainly a byproduct of industrialised lifestyles, with significant variation across different environments and populations," the researchers noted.

The study highlights the rarity or absence of chronic diseases among indigenous populations, suggesting that even when younger individuals in these communities exhibit profiles akin to older individuals in industrialised societies, they do not lead to disease. "These findings challenge the notion that inflammation is intrinsically harmful. Inflammation, and possibly other ageing mechanisms, might be significantly context-dependent," Cohen remarked. "While this poses challenges as universal answers may be elusive, it also shows promise since interventions are possible," he concluded.

The study analyzed 19 cytokines—proteins produced in immune and inflammatory responses—and found age-related patterns among the Italian and Singaporean participants but not among the Tsimane and Orang Asli. The immune systems of the indigenous groups were shaped by constant infections and unique environmental exposures.