Identification of a novel biomarker for sarcopenia diagnosis using serum metabolomic analysis: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study compared serum metabolites in participants with and without sarcopenia.

Methods: Metabolomic techniques were applied to identify serum metabolites and novel biomarkers specific to patients with sarcopenia. In accordance with AWGS2019 criteria, sarcopenia was defined as low muscle mass plus either low muscle strength/low physical function, and severe sarcopenia was defined as low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical function all together.

Results: The sarcopenia group had higher hypoxanthine, galactose, and mannose levels but lower triethanolamine and homogentisic acid levels than the non-sarcopenia group. The severe sarcopenia group had lower levels of alpha-tocopherol than the mild and moderate sarcopenia groups.

Conclusion: This study is the first to identify hypoxanthine as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia in humans and provides new insights into the pathophysiology of sarcopenia. Furthermore, the identified metabolites may be useful for the early detection of sarcopenia.

Keywords: Biomarker; Hypoxanthine; Metabolomics; Sarcopenia; Serum metabolite.