There is evidence of correlation between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sarcopenia (SA). However, the influencing factors and the mechanism, such as age-related lipid redistribution, remain unknown. This study aimed to clarify the role of dietary fats and erythrocyte lipids profile combined with basal metabolic rate (BMR) in the link between MCI and SA. A total of 1050 participants aged 65 to 85 were divided into control, MCI, SA and MCI and SA groups. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to evaluate appendicular lean mass and BMR. Cognition and dietary nutrition were detected by neuropsychological tests and food frequency questionnaires. UHPLC-QExactive-MS/MS and UHPLC-Qtrap-MS/MS were used to conduct the lipidomics analysis. Lower dietary intake of different phospholipids, unsaturated fatty acids and kinds of choline were significantly associated with MCI and SA. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, multivariate logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve and validation tests provided evidence that specific phospholipids, unsaturated fatty acids and BMR might be the critical factors in the processing of MCI and SA, as well as in their link. The lipidomic analysis observed a clear discrimination of the lipid profiles in the individuals who are in MCI, SA, or MCI and SA, compared with the control. Lower expressions in certain phospholipid species, such as sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamines, decreased phosphatidylcholine with more unsaturated double bonds, lower level of lipids with C20:5 and C20:4, higher level of lipids with C18:2 and lipids with a remodeled length of acyl chain, might be closely related to the link between MCI and SA. Inadequate dietary intake and lower concentrations of the erythrocyte lipid profile of phospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids with a lower level of BMR might be the key points that lead to progress in MCI and SA, as well as in their link. They could be used as the prospective biomarkers for the higher risk of cognitive decline and/or SA in elderly population.
Keywords: dietary fats; lipid profile; lipidomics; mild cognitive impairment; sarcopenia.