Scientists from Nizhny Novgorod State University (NNSU) and their collaborators have unveiled an innovative approach to diagnose the rate of aging and precisely determine an individual`s biological age. This novel method scrutinizes markers of chronic inflammation – a pivotal mechanism in aging – while also considering the patient`s lifestyle, stress levels, diet, and genetic predispositions. The findings of this research have been published in Nature Aging.
As explained by the researchers, chronic (non-acute) inflammation serves a dual purpose: while it is beneficial in protecting the body from pathogens and clearing worn-out or dead cells, its escalation with age detrimentally impacts the body`s vital systems.
In collaboration with the Russian Scientific Center of Surgery named after B.V. Petrovsky (RCSR), the university`s researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system. This system can identify heightened risks of age-related diseases and accurately determine a person`s biological age. Based on its analysis, it can issue personalized recommendations aimed at slowing down bodily wear and tear, evaluating the specific contribution of factors such as dietary changes, sleep regimen adjustments, climate, and environmental quality, all tailored to each individual.
Ivanchenko noted that personalized interventions, such as adhering to a Mediterranean diet, can reduce inflammation markers by 15-25%. He projected that integrating these approaches into clinical practice within the next 5-10 years could extend healthy life expectancy by 5-10 years and decrease the costs associated with treating age-related diseases by 20-30%.
Unlike most existing biological clocks and healthy aging management strategies that primarily focus on the general state of the organism or specific organs, this innovative approach allows for the early detection and timely mitigation of pre-risks before symptoms manifest, thereby helping to maintain the body in a healthy state, the scientist added.
Moving forward, NNSU specialists plan to adapt this biological age assessment system for broader clinical application. The scientists also intend to conduct long-term studies to monitor the dynamics of inflammatory aging in the same individuals over many years, with a particular focus on examining the effectiveness of various interventions tailored to individual patient characteristics.
The study`s results have also been featured in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences and in previous publications in Nature Aging.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth