Abstract
The low-grade inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) triggers functional and structural alterations in several organs. Whereas lung function impairment is well reported for older adult population, the effect of MS on functional and immunological responses in the lungs remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study we determined whether MS alters pulmonary function, and immunological responses in older adults with MS. The study sample consisted of older adults with MS (68 ± 3 years old; n = 77) and without MS (67 ± 3 years old; n = 77). Impulse oscillometry was used to evaluate airway and tissue resistance, and reactance. Biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed in the blood and in breath condensate. The total resistance of the respiratory system (R5Hz; p < 0.009), and the resistance of the proximal (R20Hz; p < 0.001) and distal (R5Hz–R20Hz; p < 0.004) airways were higher in MS individuals compared to those without MS. Pro-inflammatory (leptin, IL-1beta, IL-8, p < 0.001; TNF-alpha, p < 0.04) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (adiponectin, IL-1ra, IL-10, p < 0.001), anti-fibrotic (relaxin 1, relaxin 3, Klotho, p < 0.001) and pro-fibrotic (VEGF, p < 0.001) factors were increased in sera and in breath condensate individuals with MS. The results show that MS adversely affect lung mechanics, function, and immunological response in older adults. The data offer a metabolic basis for the inflammaging of the lungs and suggest the lungs as a potential therapeutic target for controlling the immune response and delaying the onset of impaired lung function in older adults with MS.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MS), inflammaging and immunosenescence are more pronounced and may induce structural and functional alterations in multiple organ systems, accelerating the overt manifestation of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM)[3,4]
This study shows for the first time that the systemic low-grade inflammation commonly observed in individuals with MS is present in the lungs
The results reveal that older adults with MS display impaired lung function and mechanics, and a notable increase in the resistance of whole respiratory system as well as in the airways
Summary
MS, inflammaging and immunosenescence are more pronounced and may induce structural and functional alterations in multiple organ systems, accelerating the overt manifestation of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM)[3,4]. There is a paucity of information on the intrinsic changes in inflammatory status within the respiratory system of older adults with MS. Some controversy exists as to whether MS is a unique disease entity, its individual components have independently been associated with changes in pulmonary function and or lung diseases in humans[6]. The influence of MS on lung mechanics (indicating structural alterations) and pulmonary immune response, remains less clear, in older adults. A recent pre-clinical study showed that obesity induced the development of a specific pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic lung phenotype, which might alter lung function[9], suggesting the potential obesity-related alterations in lung function. We tested the hypothesis that in older adults with MS, the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses in the respiratory system may enhance the loss of pulmonary function and impaired lung mechanics
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