Inflammaging at the Time of COVID-19

Maria Beatrice Zazzara; Andrea Bellieni; Riccardo Calvani; Hélio Jose Coelho-Junior; Anna Picca; Emanuele Marzetti

doi:10.1016/j.cger.2022.03.003

Inflammaging at the Time of COVID-19

Clin Geriatr Med. 2022 Aug;38(3):473-481. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Authors

Maria Beatrice Zazzara¹, Andrea Bellieni¹, Riccardo Calvani², Hélio Jose Coelho-Junior³, Anna Picca¹, Emanuele Marzetti³

Affiliations

¹ Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy.
² Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy. Electronic address: riccardo.calvani@policlinicogemelli.it.
³ Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy; Department of Geriatrics and Orthopedics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy.

Abstract

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines. The ensuing cytokine storm contributes to the development of severe pneumonia and, possibly, to long-term symptom persistence (long COVID). The chronic state of low-grade inflammation that accompanies aging (inflammaging) might predispose older adults to severe COVID-19. Inflammaging may also contribute to symptom persistence following acute COVID-19. Antiinflammatory drugs and immunomodulatory agents can achieve significant therapeutic gain during acute COVID-19. Lifestyle interventions (eg, physical activity, diet) may be proposed as strategies to counteract inflammation and mitigate long-term symptom persistence.

Keywords: Cytokines; Diet; Immunosenescence; Inflammation; Long COVID; Older adults; Physical activity; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
COVID-19* / complications
COVID-19* / therapy
Cytokines
Humans
Inflammation / therapy
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Cytokines