Inflammaging refers to the chronic low-grade inflammation that occurs with aging and cellular senescence, and it is linked to various diseases. Understanding the markers involved in chronic inflammation and aging, as well as their interaction with environmental factors and inner control mechanisms, can provide crucial tools for assessing the resilience (i.e. the ability to adapt and improve) of the human body, particularly in the presence of degenerative conditions or vulnerable life stages, that place the individual and the community to which she/he belongs in a state of potential fragility.

In this context, HEBE (Healthy aging versus inflammaging: the role of physical Exercise in modulating the Biomarkers of age-associated and Environmentally determined chronic diseases) focuses on exercise, along with nutritional and lifestyles recommendations, to reduce systemic inflammation and promote healthy aging.

Healthy lifestyle recommendations were provided to University of Milan employees, and changes in quality of life and well-being were assessed using questionnaires. The first 100 eligible subjects, who expressed their willingness to participate, underwent a trial of a personalized exercise protocol based on clinical and objective assessments (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05815732). Blood samples were collected at baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1) to evaluate the effect of exercise on LINE-1 methylation according to individual characteristics such as anthropometric, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.

LINE-1 methylation was increased in T1 versus T0. Moreover, body mass index (BMI) modified the effect of lifestyle improvement on LINE-1 methylation levels. In particular, an increase in LINE-1 methylation was observed in subjects with BMI <25.

The results of this project will provide information on the link between LINE-1 methylation, physical activity, and inflammaging. The multidisciplinary approach of Project HEBE offers a platform for further research on the relationship between repetitive element methylation and health maintenance.