The brain and immune system prompt energy shortage in chronic inflammation and ageing.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and theoretical perspective paper without primary empirical data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 29021568 · doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2017.172
What was done
This narrative perspective synthesizes concepts from evolutionary medicine, energy regulation, and neuroendocrine-immune crosstalk to establish a conceptual framework for understanding chronic inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatic disorders) and aging.
What was found
No empirical data or quantitative numbers are reported in the abstract. The paper proposes a theoretical model wherein common sequelae of chronic inflammatory conditions and aging—including fatigue, depressed mood, sleep alterations, loss of appetite, muscle wasting, cachectic obesity, bone loss, and hypertension—arise from systemic energy allocation trade-offs prompted by an overactive immune system and persist even during disease remission.
Why it matters
It offers an integrative, evolutionary metabolic framework to help clinicians and researchers explain systemic, whole-body manifestations and long-term consequences of chronic inflammatory diseases and aging.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative perspective presenting a theoretical framework without new experimental, clinical, or quantitative human data. The proposed energy regulation mechanisms require empirical validation in prospective clinical studies.
Cited by
- context When a person is ill and their immune system is activated, approximately 50% of their metabolic energy is consumed by the immune system.