This may be of particular importance in the ageing lung as pulmonary infections are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, as discussed by Boe et al. 11 Innate cells appear to have reduced TLR signalling via MAPK and NFƙB resulting in
reduced inflammatory cytokine production as well as altered chemotaxis responses, decreased phagocytosis and antigen presentation capacity.
Interestingly, evidence suggests that free radical and
inflammatory cytokine production slow down during fasting and protective cytokine production increases and protects the brain from oxidative damage.
Severity of AP has been predicted by the magnitude of local and
systemic inflammatory cytokine production [33] and several reports have well documented for over activation of leukocytes being the major contributor of inflammation leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome [34].
A RIPK2 inhibitor delays NOD signalling events yet prevents inflammatory cytokine production
Interestingly, mounting evidence suggests that not only does free radical damage and
inflammatory cytokine production slow down, but protective cytokine production increases while fasting.