Ageing and the immune system
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of ageing on adipose, muscle and systemic inflammation
IRAS ID
187871
Contact name
Will Trim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
The accumulation and dysfunction of excess adipose (fat) tissue that occurs with ageing is associated with a number of chronic inflammatory disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease but the underlying mechanisms are not understood.
In addition to fat cells, adipose tissue contains a range of other cell types including immune (white blood) cells and their relative proportions and interactions with each other may be important in the development of chronic inflammatory disorders. Immune cells also reside in muscle and it is not known whether they differ to those in adipose tissue with ageing.
We want to investigate some of the potential mechanisms leading to adipose tissue dysfunction with ageing and how the various immune cells in adipose and muscle tissue may contribute to age related inflammatory disorders.
Our participants will include two groups of males aged 20-35 years or 65-85 years. After an initial screen to assess eligibility including body composition analysis and 1 week of activity monitoring, participants will attend 1 session of laboratory testing and adipose, muscle and blood samples obtained so immune cells and measures of metabolism and inflammation can be compared between the two groups. All testing will take place in the Physiology Laboratories at the University of Bath.
By investigating immune dysfunction that occurs with ageing in adipose tissue and relating this to differences in muscle and blood, we hope to learn more about the development of diseases associated with ageing and ultimately help to develop more effective methods for prevention and treatment of associated chronic diseases.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0003
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion