Chronic inflammation is a serious health problem that can silently damage the body over time. Unlike short-term inflammation, which helps the body heal from cuts or infections, chronic inflammation happens when the immune system stays active for too long.
This long-lasting response can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and even cancer.
Now, scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, have found a possible way to stop this dangerous process. Their study, led by researcher Danica Chen and published in the journal Cell Metabolism, discovered a kind of “off switch” that may help control harmful inflammation and even reverse some age-related illnesses.
The research focused on a group of immune proteins called the NLRP3 inflammasome. These proteins act like guards in the body.
When they sense danger, they trigger inflammation to help fight infections or repair injuries. But sometimes, these guards stay active too long and cause more harm than good. This overactivity can lead to diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
The team found that this inflammasome can be switched off through a process called deacetylation. This happens when a tiny piece is removed from the protein. A special protein called SIRT2 helps do this job. When SIRT2 removes that piece, it shuts off the inflammasome and reduces inflammation.
To understand this better, the researchers studied mice. They found that mice without SIRT2 had more inflammation as they got older. By the time they were two years old, these mice showed signs of insulin resistance—a warning sign for diabetes.
In another test, scientists gave older mice new blood stem cells, which built fresh immune systems. Some of these cells were made to include an inactive version of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
The result was promising: these mice showed better insulin levels within just six weeks. This suggests that turning off this inflammasome not only prevents inflammation but might also reverse some damage caused by aging.
These discoveries are exciting because they could lead to new medicines that target the inflammasome and stop chronic inflammation. This could help treat or even prevent diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
The research also shows how important it is to manage inflammation throughout life. Chronic inflammation can be worsened by things like stress, pollution, and unhealthy food. Other studies have shown that what we eat can affect our bones and brain. Some foods and oils might hurt brain health, while others, like those found in cannabis, might help protect it.
Overall, this new research gives hope. If scientists can create treatments based on these findings, we may be able to live healthier, longer lives by stopping harmful inflammation at its source.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about new way to halt excessive inflammation, and results showing foods that could cause inflammation.
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