A recent study highlights how a sedentary lifestyle and chronic inflammation can shape age-related changes in gene activity more than the aging process itself. The research was published in Aging Cell and focused on muscle cells to explore how lifestyle factors influence genetic regulation over time.
The study involved 15 healthy young participants, along with 8 young adults and 37 elderly patients suffering from knee or hip osteoarthritis. The groups allowed researchers to compare gene activity across age ranges and health statuses, paying close attention to how mobility and inflammation intersect with aging at the cellular level.
It was found that individuals with painful joints often experience extended periods of immobility and ongoing inflammation. These conditions appear to drive alterations in gene expression that affect cellular pathways involved in energy production, protein management, and immune responses. In total, about 4,000 genes showed age-related changes linked to sedentary behavior and chronic inflammation rather than aging alone. The study indicates that such lifestyle-related shifts can influence mitochondrial function, which are the energy hubs of the cell, as well as the regulation of proteins and inflammatory processes that sustain tissue health.
In contrast, only about 200 genes changed activity due to aging by itself. The researchers suggest that these aging-associated genes may offer clues to the fundamental mechanisms of cellular aging and help guide future interventions aimed at slowing age-related decline by targeting gene expression patterns.
One of the study’s co-authors, PhD, remarked that these findings could be instrumental in developing strategies to slow aging by modulating the expression of specific genes. The research team attributes a significant portion of what is seen in older muscle tissue to the combined effects of inactivity and persistent inflammation, rather than to age in isolation. This perspective shifts some focus toward improving mobility and reducing chronic inflammation as potential avenues to preserve muscle function and overall health with age.
The implications of these insights extend to health care. Clinicians may consider greater emphasis on maintaining activity levels and managing inflammatory conditions to mitigate adverse gene expression changes associated with aging. The work underscores the value of early intervention for individuals at risk of mobility limitations and chronic inflammation, especially as people enter later decades of life.