Are inflammatory markers associated with sarcopenia-related traits in older adults with sarcopenia? - A cross-sectional analysis of the ENHANce study

Jolan Dupont; Laura Vercauteren; Nadjia Amini; Laurence Lapauw; Maxim De Schaepdryver; Koen Poesen; Lenore Dedeyne; Sabine Verschueren; Jos Tournoy; Katrien Koppo; Evelien Gielen

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2023.112196

Are inflammatory markers associated with sarcopenia-related traits in older adults with sarcopenia? - A cross-sectional analysis of the ENHANce study

Exp Gerontol. 2023 Jul:178:112196. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112196. Epub 2023 May 16.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Geriatrics & Gerontology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Geriatric Medicine, UZ Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Jolan.dupont@uzleuven.be.
² Geriatrics & Gerontology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium.
³ Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
⁴ Research Group for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
⁵ Geriatrics & Gerontology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Geriatric Medicine, UZ Leuven, Belgium.
⁶ Exercise Physiology Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.

PMID: 37156446
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112196

Abstract

Aims: To explore the relationship between inflammatory markers and sarcopenia-related traits in sarcopenic older adults.

Methods: Baseline data of the ongoing Exercise and Nutrition for Healthy AgeiNg (ENHANce) study were used for a secondary, exploratory, cross-sectional analysis. ENHANce is a 5-armed triple blinded randomized controlled trial, in older adults (>65y) with sarcopenia defined according to the revised criteria of the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) aiming to assess the effect of combined anabolic interventions (protein supplement, omega-3 supplement and physical exercise) on physical performance, compared to single/placebo interventions. Inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), albumin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed at baseline. Spearman's rho (ρ) correlation coefficients were calculated to associate these inflammatory markers with baseline sarcopenia-defining parameters (handgrip strength, chair stand test, appendicular lean mass [aLM], gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery), physical activity (step count) and quality of life (SF-36, SarQoL).

Results: We included 40 sarcopenic subjects (15 men/25 women, age 77.1 ± 6.8 years). Contrary to expectations, the pro-inflammatory IL-1β correlated positively with handgrip strength (ρ: 0.376; p = 0.024) and IL-6 with aLM (ρ: 0.334; p = 0.0433). IL-6 inversely correlated with step count (ρ:-0.358; p = 0.048). Subgroup analysis revealed important gender differences. IL-8 inversely correlated with handgrip strength in women (ρ: -0.425; p = 0.034) but not in men. In contrast, pro-inflammatory cytokines CRP (ρ: -0.615; p = 0.019), IL-6 (ρ: -0.604; p = 0.029) and TNF-α (ρ: -0.615; p = 0.025) inversely correlated with the SF-36 physical component score in men but not in women.

Conclusion: Although Inflammageing might play a role in sarcopenia-related traits, this exploratory study highlights an important role of gender. Future research should take this into account when elucidating the Inflammageing-sarcopenia interplay.

Keywords: CRP; Inflammageing; Interleukin; Older adults; Sarcopenia; TNF-α.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hand Strength
Healthy Aging*
Humans
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Male
Quality of Life
Sarcopenia*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
C-Reactive Protein