New Perspectives On Gastric Inflammaging: Integrating Multi-Omics Mechanisms And Gerotherapeutic Strategies In Chronic Gastritis
Our understanding of chronic stomach inflammation, a common condition especially in older adults that can lead to stomach cancer, is evolving. Recent research highlights a crucial concept called “gastric inflammaging.” This refers to the persistent, low-grade inflammation in the stomach that is closely intertwined with the aging process, driving the deterioration of stomach lining and increasing the risk of malignant transformation.
The study synthesizes a wealth of information, utilizing a “multi-omics” approach. This means researchers are looking at various biological layers—from our genes (genomics) and gene activity (transcriptomics) to proteins (proteomics) and small molecules (metabolomics)—to get a comprehensive view of the disease. This integrated perspective helps to understand how different hallmarks of aging contribute to the inflammatory environment in the stomach.
Key aging hallmarks discussed include cellular senescence, where cells stop dividing and release inflammatory signals; mitochondrial dysfunction, which impairs the cell’s energy factories; impaired autophagy, the cell’s waste removal system; exhaustion of the immune system; and an imbalance in the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria living in our digestive tract. All these factors converge to create a self-sustaining inflammatory cycle in the stomach.
Looking forward, the paper explores exciting new therapeutic avenues based on “geroscience,” the study of aging. These include interventions like senolytics and senomorphics, which are compounds designed to remove senescent cells or modify their harmful secretions. Other strategies involve modulating specific immune pathways, targeting the gut microbiota and its metabolites, and even incorporating lifestyle changes and natural products. The ultimate goal is to develop a personalized approach, using specific biomarkers of inflammaging to guide patient stratification and improve treatment outcomes. This new perspective on chronic stomach inflammation could pave the way for innovative strategies to promote healthy aging and extend our overall healthspan.
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