Body Composition and Senescence: Impact of Polyphenols on Aging-Associated Events

Abstract

Aging is a dynamic and progressive process characterized by the gradual accumulation of cellular damage. The continuous functional decline in the intrinsic capacity of living organisms to precisely regulate homeostasis leads to an increased susceptibility and vulnerability to diseases. Among the factors contributing to these changes, body composition-comprised of fat mass and lean mass deposits-plays a crucial role in the trajectory of a disability. Particularly, visceral and intermuscular fat deposits increase with aging and are associated with adverse health outcomes, having been linked to the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Adipose tissue is involved in the secretion of bioactive factors that can ultimately mediate inter-organ pathology, including skeletal muscle pathology, through the induction of a pro-inflammatory profile such as a SASP, cellular senescence, and immunosenescence, among other events. Extensive research has shown that natural compounds have the ability to modulate the mechanisms associated with cellular senescence, in addition to exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory potential, making them interesting strategies for promoting healthy aging. In this review, we will discuss how factors such as cellular senescence and the presence of a pro-inflammatory phenotype can negatively impact body composition and lead to the development of age-related diseases, as well as how the use of polyphenols can be a functional measure for restoring balance, maintaining tissue quality and composition, and promoting health.

Keywords: adipose tissue; body composition; polyphenols; senescence; skeletal muscle.

Figure 1

DNA damage, telomeric erosions, and mitochondrial dysfunction culminate in cellular damage that favors the cellular senescence process, mediated by increased beta-galactosidase activity, the expression of p53, p16, and p21, and the secretion of a SASP observed by the expression of IL1α, IL1β, MCP1, and TNFα. These cellular damages favor pro-aging changes, such as increased damage and inflammation, reduced repair, clearance, cell renewal, and tissue function, causing effects on adjacent tissues and the exhaustion of stem cells.

Figure 2

The increase in adipose tissue deposition related to the aging process is mediated by the increase in M1 polarization in adipose tissue, favoring increased damage, inflammation, tissue dysfunction, and damage to adjacent tissues, which may contribute to the development of the chronic diseases associated with age such as the following: reduced glucose tolerance, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Figure 3

The infiltration of adipose tissue between muscle fibers during the aging process favors the increase in M2 polarization in muscle, leading to increased FAPs signaling, resulting in increased damage to muscle fibers, inflammation, and reduced tissue repair, corroborating the development of sarcopenia.

Figure 4

The use of polyphenols promotes benefits in cellular restoration, inhibiting senescence signaling, through damage reduction, increased tissue repair, clearance, and cellular renewal, culminating in tissue restoration and favoring the prevention of the chronic diseases associated with aging.