Inflammaging refers to a chronic, systemic, low-grade inflammation, driven by immune (mainly macrophages) and non-immune cells stimulated by endogenous/self, misplaced or altered molecules, belonging to physiological aging. This age-related inflammatory status is characterized by increased inflammation and decreased macroautophagy/autophagy (a degradation process that removes unnecessary or dysfunctional cell components). Inflammaging predisposes to age-related diseases, including obesity, type-2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as vulnerability to infectious diseases and vaccine failure, representing thus a major target for anti-aging strategies. Phenolic compounds-found in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)-are well known for their beneficial effect on longevity. Among them, hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) appears to greatly contribute to healthy aging by its documented potent antioxidant activity. In addition, HTyr can modulate inflammation and autophagy, thus possibly counteracting and reducing inflammaging. In this review, we reference the literature on pure HTyr as a modulatory agent of inflammation and autophagy, in order to highlight its possible interference with inflammaging. This HTyr-mediated activity might contribute to healthy aging and delay the development or progression of diseases related to aging.
Keywords: age-related diseases; aging; autophagy; cytokines; extra-virgin olive oil; hydroxytyrosol; inflammaging; inflammation; olive vegetation waste; polyphenols.