Lexicon
TNF-alpha
Also known as TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor alpha
Definition
TNF-alpha is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, contributed in part by adipose tissue, whose production is reflected by elevated levels of soluble TNF-alpha receptors, IL-6, and C-reactive protein. [1] Along with C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha is a hallmark of inflammaging, the low-grade chronic inflammation that characterizes old age. [2] Correlations have been found between increased levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 and chronic low-grade inflammatory states. [3]
How it works
TNF-alpha is proposed to be the driver behind insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and regular exercise suppresses TNF-alpha, offering protection against TNF-alpha-induced insulin resistance. [1] Pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and IL-6 impair insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation, disrupting insulin-mediated glucose uptake. [4] C-reactive protein is synthesized by the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1, and TNF, so TNF-alpha activity is reflected in acute-phase CRP levels. [5]
Connected concepts
How it's measured
TNF-alpha is measured as a circulating cytokine and is one of the markers of basal inflammation frequently used, together with IL-6, its receptors, and C-reactive protein, to assess immunosenescence. [6] In a meta-analysis of older adults, the difference in TNF levels between patients with age-related diseases and disease-free controls was statistically insignificant, so TNF was considered a less useful peripheral inflammation marker than IL-6. [7]
What levels mean
Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation is reflected by a roughly two- to threefold elevation of several cytokines, among which TNF-alpha is a central pro-inflammatory mediator. [1] Higher circulating TNF-alpha is associated with lower handgrip and knee extension strength and lower muscle mass
Community knowledge
## Markers And Their Limits
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- 1.Petersen AM, Pedersen BK. The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985) · 2005
- 2.Di Giosia P, Stamerra CA, Giorgini P, Jamialahamdi T, Butler AE, Sahebkar A. The role of nutrition in inflammaging. Ageing Res Rev · 2022
- 3.Rudnicka E, Suchta K, Grymowicz M, Calik-Ksepka A, Smolarczyk K, Duszewska AM, Smolarczyk R, Meczekalski B. Chronic Low Grade Inflammation in Pathogenesis of PCOS. Int J Mol Sci · 2021
- 4.Mittal R, Prasad K, Lemos JRN, Arevalo G, Hirani K. Unveiling Gestational Diabetes: An Overview of Pathophysiology and Management. Int J Mol Sci · 2025
- 5.Plebani M. Why C-reactive protein is one of the most requested tests in clinical laboratories? Clin Chem Lab Med · 2023
- 6.Müller-Werdan U, Nuding S, Ost M. Assessing inflammageing.
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