Link Between Inflammatory Disease and Premature Aging

Some research from University of Arizona suggests that inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's Disease, could lead to a premature aging process. The researchers found that the Klotho gene, a gene which plays a vital role in aging, was down-regulated. This could speed the onset of age-related diseases like osteoporosis.

Here's one excerpt:

"We have made a novel discovery," said Dr. Fayez K. Ghishan, professor and director of the Steele Center. "Based on our research, it appears that chronic inflammation of the gut causes Klotho to down-regulate – or ‘turn off' – contributing to premature-aging diseases such as osteopenia, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, to name a few."

And another excerpt:

"We can now theorize that if you have an inflammatory process going on, like IBD or rheumatoid arthritis, for example, you are likely to develop symptoms of premature aging," Kiela said. "Our findings lay the foundation for future work related to the contribution of Klotho to chronic inflammatory diseases in human patients – and how to better treat these diseases."