It is known that systemic inflammation linked to inflammaging aggravates e.g. the vascular pathology and provokes atherosclerosis [4]. Moreover, increased systemic cytokine levels activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which augments the sercetion of cortisol [13]. Cortisol is a potent anti-inflammatory agent although it not only induces protein catabolism, e.g. in muscle tissues, but it also promotes bone resorption. Chronic inflammation can also enhance the appearance of insulin resistance in muscles and adipose tissues as well as disturb the maintenance of energy homeostasis and subsequently cellular housekeeping functions. Interestingly, the aging process is simultaneously accompanied by both the features accelerating inflammaging and the counteracting, so-called anti-inflammaging characteristics [14]. It seems that the balance between these opposite forces controls the outcome of the aging process, either leading to frailty and degenerative diseases or a healthy old age and longevity.
