Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/571399
alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein, are increased in obesity, associated with insulin resistance, and predict the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is now clear that the adipocyte [fat cell] is an active participant in the generation of the inflammatory state in obesity. Adipocytes secrete a variety of cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-alpha, which promote inflammation. Moreover, recent studies suggest that obesity is associated with an increase in adipose [fat] tissue macrophages [white blood cells], which also participate in the inflammatory process through the elaboration of cytokines." A recent human study has shown that the blood levels of two key inflammation molecules, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, increase as obesity intensifies. There is growing evidence that the inflammatory cytokines secreted by fat cells, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, promote increased obesity, as well as insulin resistance. Interleukin-6 stimulates the liver to release C-reactive protein, and there is evidence that high C-reactive protein levels promote the development of type 2 diabetes. Sleep Is Not A Luxury A.N. Vgontzas and colleagues have done human research that makes it clear that sleep deprivation promotes a proinflammatory environment. "Sleep deprivation leads to sleepiness and daytime hypersecretion of IL-6." In an experiment with 25 healthy, normal sleepers, Vgontzas and associates measured the effects of decreasing sleep from eight hours nightly to six hours nightly for one week. They found that in both men and women, there was a 40-to- 60-percent increase in interleukin-6 secretion, while in men there was also a 20-to-30-percent increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha. They concluded "... in young men and women [presumably healthier than most middle-aged and elderly people], modest sleep loss is associated with significant sleepiness, impairment of psychomotor performance, and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines." It is generally accepted that 50 to 75 years ago, most Americans slept eight-nine hours nightly. People in "underdeveloped" nations, without widespread access to artificial light, frequently sleep more than that. Recent surveys of Americans' sleep habits show that many Americans now rely on only six to seven hours of sleep nightly. These Americans can look forward to a lifetime of gradually increasing inflammatory status. As Vgontzas and coworkers point out, "...the idea that sleep or parts of it are optional should be regarded with caution." Aging and Inflammation There are various biological changes that occur with aging that unfortunately tend to promote chronic inflammation. With menopause, women typically suffer a drastic decrease in circulating estrogens. During the generally more gradual andropause, men tend to suffer reduced free testosterone. The adrenal steroid DHEA also shows a steep drop with aging, as does the pineal hormone melatonin. Cortisol levels tend to increase with age, as do adrenalin/noradrenalin. Unfortunately, all these changes tend to promote inflammation. Interleukin-6 is one of the most powerful and significant proinflammatory cytokines. It is secreted by a wide range of cells. It promotes the liver's release of acute phase (inflammation) reaction products, including proinflammatory C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. (Fibrinogen, formerly considered only a pro-coagulation factor, is now considered an inflammatory factor, as well.) Interleukin-6 promotes a wide range of pathology, including diabetes, cancer, age-related frailty, insulin resistance, heart disease, osteoporosis, the "euthyroid sick syndrome" (reduced T3 levels), rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and obesity. Interleukin-6 levels tend to increase with age. Estrogen and testosterone tend to suppress interleukin-6 secretion, but these hormones decrease after menopause and andropause. DHEA suppresses interleukin-6 secretion, but DHEA levels drop drastically from age 15 to 75. Adrenalin and noradrenalin promote interleukin-6 secretion, and they tend to increase with age. Thus, it is hardly surprising that interleukin-6 levels tend to increase with age. Abby's Magazine - September/October 2015 | Page 29