In 2000, the Franceschi team coined the term “Inflamm-aging” to refer a pro-inflammatory state of low-grade, which appears during the aging process.

In this production has an important role macrophages, cellular stress and genetic factors. Furthermore it is speculated that this inflammatory environment may predispose the organism to the development of various age-related diseases.

Systemic inflammation linked to inflammaging aggravates for example vascular disease and causes atherosclerosis.

Cortisol is a potent anti-inflammatory agent although induces protein catabolism, for example in muscle tissue and also promotes bone reabsorption.

Chronic inflammation also affects insulin resistance in muscle and adipose tissue and troubles the maintenance of energy homeostasis and functions of cell survival.

The inflammaging induces antinflammaging supported by cortisol and induces insulin resistance by inability of the liver to respond to insulin stimulation. The phenomenon of anti-inflammaging, mainly exerted by cortisol, with the passage of time becomes a cause of a marked reduction of immunological functions.