Lipid Metabolism in Age-Related Disease
In this age of excess calories, in which a large proportion of the population is significantly overweight, research into lipid metabolism in the context of aging tends overlap with research into lipid metabolism in the context of obesity. People of normal weight still undergo complex changes in lipid metabolism and lipid transport throughout the body with age, however. These lead to prominent, important issues such as atherosclerosis, localized excesses of cholesterol and associated lesions in the arterial walls, for example. Looking at these conditions through the lens of lipid metabolism is looking at just one part of a complex situation, of course. Different systems interact to produce the dysfunctions of aging, and lipid metabolism interacts with changes in gene expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, rising levels of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and so forth.
Lipid metabolism plays crucial roles in cellular processes such as hormone synthesis, energy production, and fat storage. Older adults are at risk of the dysregulation of lipid metabolism, which is associated with progressive declines in the physiological function of various organs. With advancing age, digestion and absorption commonly change, thereby resulting in decreased nutrient uptake. However, in the elderly population, the accumulation of excess fat becomes more pronounced due to a decline in the body's capacity to utilize lipids effectively. This is characterized by enhanced adipocyte synthesis and reduced breakdown, along with diminished peripheral tissue utilization capacity.
Lipid metabolism disorder is one of the key pathogenic factors for the occurrence and development of a series of lipid-related chronic diseases. In general, lipid-related diseases include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity, which seriously threaten public health. Given that changes in lipid metabolism occur in healthy older adults, it is important to note that these changes may contribute to pathological alterations. Therefore, understanding the role of lipid metabolism in the development of these diseases may provide new insights into their underlying mechanisms and facilitate the development of effective treatments and prevention for the elderly