Metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease are common in people who are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle. These conditions arise because the body handles food and energy less effectively, which is known as metabolism. Especially in older adults, metabolism functions less well and more inflammation develops in the body.
In our bodies, cells can become senescent, which means they stop dividing but do not die. In young people, these old cells are quickly cleared by the immune system. As we age, this process works less well, causing senescent cells to accumulate. Excess fat around the organs accelerates this process even further.
These senescent cells produce substances that can cause inflammation and tissue damage, causing organs such as the liver to function less effectively. This creates an interaction between a poorer metabolism and an increase in senescent cells, which reinforce each other.
Work is underway on medicines, known as senolytics, that can clear away these old cells. Although some treatments are already available, large-scale studies into their effectiveness for metabolic disorders are limited. Even so, an increasing number of people are choosing to use these products, although it is not yet entirely clear how effective that actually is.
Reducing senescent cells may potentially contribute to healthier ageing and the prevention of metabolic diseases that become more common with age.
Source: Reason
