Inflammation is part of the body’s innate immune response and is an essential process that not only defends against harmful bacteria and pathogens but also plays a key role in the maintenance and repair of tissues. Under pathological conditions, there is bilateral crosstalk between immune regulation and aberrant metabolism resulting in persistent inflammation in the absence of infection. This phenomenon is referred to as sterile metabolic inflammation (metainflammation) and occurs if the initiating stimulus is not removed or if the resolution process is disrupted.
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This low-grade chronic metabolic inflammation should not be neglected as it is significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the general population (Fest et al. 2019), negatively impacts insulin sensitivity (Blaszczak et al. 2020), and increases the risk for cancer development (Li et al. 2023).
Immunology of chronic low-grade inflammation: relationship with metabolic function. Mari van de Vyver. Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Journal of Endocrinology (2023) 257, e220271
Note:
1 – Metabolic function refers to the continuous chemical processes within cells and organisms that convert food into usable energy, build and repair tissues, and sustain life. This includes vital processes like breathing, blood circulation, and cell maintenance, even during rest. The two main categories of metabolic reactions are anabolism, which builds larger molecules and uses energy, and catabolism, which breaks down larger molecules to release energy, such as the digestion of food
2 – Inflammation immunology describes the immune system’s response to tissue damage or infection, an innate, nonspecific defense mechanism that serves to eliminate harmful agents and promote repair. Inflammation, or inflammation, involves immune cells and molecules drawing more blood to the damaged site, causing redness, heat, swelling, and pain. While a protective process, excessive or chronic inflammation can become harmful and contribute to autoimmune diseases or other conditions.