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Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Geriatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 27133

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dominique Meynial-Denis

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Guest Editor

Human Nutrition Unit (UMR 1019) and CRNH Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Interests: aging; sarcopenia; muscle wasting; nutrition; nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of nitrogen 15; carbon 13 and protons; metabolism; leucine; alanine; glutamine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Giacomo Garibotto

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto 15,6, I-16132 Genoa, Italy
2. IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
Interests: chronic kidney disease; nutrition; diabetic nephropathy; inflammation; oxidative stress; amino acid and protein metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength was first defined by Rosenberg in 1997 as a hallmark of aging and has since been referred to as sarcopenia. As life expectancy continues to increase worldwide, sarcopenia has become a major public health issue. Moreover, sarcopenia is not considered to be “a process of normative aging” but according to the International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), is a disease.

The impact of sarcopenia on health and well-being is broad and includes impaired function, increased morbidity, increased incidence of institutionalization, reduced quality of life and even death. Sarcopenia increases the risk of age-related diseases such as osteoporosis, obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, cachexia, physical frailty and injury. The problem worsens in the presence of these chronic diseases that accelerate the progression of sarcopenia. It is important to define the possible ways to promote healthy and successful aging.

This Special Issue will highlight the challenges of sarcopenia and age-related diseases research to promote healthy aging. It intends to bring together basic researchers and clinicians working in the area of nutritional sciences, geriatrics, internal medicine and public health. Original research or review articles will be considered suitable for inclusion in the Special Issue.

Dr. Dominique Meynial-Denis
Prof. Dr. Giacomo Garibotto
Guest Editors

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Keywords

aging
sarcopenia
age-related diseases
muscle
healthy aging

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Specific Associations between Serum IL-16 Levels and Sarcopenia in Older Adults

by Ze Chen, Thea Laurentius, Yvonne Fait, Aline Müller, Eva Mückter, Dandan Hao, Leo Cornelius Bollheimer and Mahtab Nourbakhsh

Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3529; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163529 - 10 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1349

Abstract

Epidemiological studies of older adults have suggested a differential sex-specific prevalence of sarcopenia, which is a condition characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Recently, we collected serum samples from 80 fully evaluated older adults and identified CXCL12α as a sex-independent serum marker of sarcopenia. Here, we used this serum collection to find potential sex-specific serum markers via the simultaneous quantification of 34 inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. The appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) was used as a decisive criterion for diagnosing sarcopenia. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between ASMI and serum IL-16 in females only (p = 0.021). Moreover, women with sarcopenia exhibited significantly higher IL-16 (p = 0.025) serum levels than women in a control group. In contrast, males with sarcopenia had lower IL-16 (p = 0.013) levels than males in a control group. The further use of Fisher’s exact test identified obesity (p = 0.027) and high serum levels of IL-16 (p = 0.029) as significant risk factors for sarcopenia in females. In male older adults, however, malnutrition (p = 0.028) and low serum levels of IL-16 (p = 0.031) were the most significant risk factors for sarcopenia. The differential sex-specific associations of IL-16 in older adults may contribute to the development of more precise regression models for future research and elucidate the role of IL-16 in the progression of sarcopenic obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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13 pages, 1773 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Low Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Probable Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Longevity Check-Up (Lookup) 7+ Project

by Stefano Cacciatore, Riccardo Calvani, Emanuele Marzetti, Anna Picca, Hélio José Coelho-Júnior, Anna Maria Martone, Claudia Massaro, Matteo Tosato and Francesco Landi

Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15041026 - 18 Feb 2023

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5640

Abstract

Muscle strength is a relevant metric of aging. Greater adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with better health outcomes across all life stages; however, evidence on the relationship between Mediterranean diet and muscle strength in older adults is inconclusive. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between adherence to Mediterranean diet and handgrip strength in a large sample of community-dwelling older adults from the Longevity Check-up 7+ project. A total of 2963 participants (mean age 72.8 ± 5.7 years; 54.4% women) were analyzed. Mediterranean diet adherence was evaluated using a modified Medi-Lite score and categorized as low (≤8), good (9 to 11), or high (≥12). Handgrip strength was categorized as normal or low according to cut-points by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. Older adults with lower Mediterranean diet adherence had a significantly higher prevalence of probable sarcopenia (25.9%) than those with good (19.1%) or high (15.5%) adherence. The proportion of participants with probable sarcopenia increased with age, but it remained lower in the good and high adherence groups. Logistic regression showed that greater Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with a lower risk of probable sarcopenia. Older age, female sex, and physical inactivity were associated with a greater risk of probable sarcopenia. Our findings emphasize the positive association between healthy lifestyles, including adherence to Mediterranean diet, and physical function in old age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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11 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Triglyceride–Glucose Index as a Potential Indicator of Sarcopenic Obesity in Older People

by Bokun Kim, Gwonmin Kim, Yongkook Lee, Keisuke Taniguchi, Tomonori Isobe and Sechang Oh

Nutrients 2023, 15(3), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030555 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3610

Abstract

Purpose: This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether the triglyceride–glucose index (TyG index) is associated with sarcopenic obesity (SO) and whether it would be a helpful indicator of SO. Methods: A total of 3821 participants aged ≥ 60 years were selected for the study group, and 4919 participants aged 20–39 years were included as a reference group. The participants were allocated to sarcopenia, obesity, and SO groups depending on if their body mass index (BMI) was ≥25 kg/m² and their sarcopenia index was ≤1 standard deviation (SD) lower than the mean of the reference group. The sex-specific differences and trends among the participants were analyzed by using the TyG index tertiles, and appropriate cut-off values of the TyG index for SO were calculated. Results: As the TyG index increased, BMI increased, but the sarcopenia index decreased in both sexes. Males and females in the middle and highest tertiles of the TyG index were 1.775 and 3.369, and they were 1.993 and 3.157 times more likely to have SO, respectively. The cut-off values of the TyG index for SO in males and females were ≥8.72 and 8.67, respectively. Conclusion: A high TyG index is positively associated with SO, and the TyG index may be considered a potential indicator of SO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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16 pages, 2947 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Di-Alanine Supplementation in Aged Mice: A Translational Study on Sarcopenia

by Paola Mantuano, Brigida Boccanegra, Gianluca Bianchini, Ornella Cappellari, Lisamaura Tulimiero, Elena Conte, Santa Cirmi, Francesca Sanarica, Michela De Bellis, Antonietta Mele, Antonella Liantonio, Marcello Allegretti, Andrea Aramini and Annamaria De Luca

Nutrients 2023, 15(2), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020330 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2752

Abstract

In age-related sarcopenia, the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass, function and strength is underpinned by an imbalanced rate of protein synthesis/breakdown. Hence, an adequate protein intake is considered a valuable strategy to mitigate sarcopenia. Here, we investigated the effects of a 12-week oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine) with recognized anabolic properties, in 17-month-old (AGED) C57BL/6J male mice. BCAAs (2:1:1) were formulated in drinking water, alone or plus two L-Alanine equivalents (2ALA) or dipeptide L-Alanyl-L-Alanine (Di-ALA) to boost BCAAs bioavailability. Outcomes were evaluated on in/ex vivo readouts vs. 6-month-old (ADULT) mice. In vivo hind limb plantar flexor torque was improved in AGED mice treated with BCAAs + Di-ALA or 2ALA (recovery score, R.S., towards ADULT: ≥20%), and all mixtures significantly increased hind limb volume. Ex vivo, myofiber cross-sectional areas were higher in gastrocnemius (GC) and soleus (SOL) muscles from treated mice (R.S. ≥ 69%). Contractile indices of isolated muscles were improved by the mixtures, especially in SOL muscle (R.S. ≥ 20%). The latter displayed higher mTOR protein levels in mice supplemented with 2ALA/Di-ALA-enriched mixtures (R.S. ≥ 65%). Overall, these findings support the usefulness of BCAAs-based supplements in sarcopenia, particularly as innovative formulations potentiating BCAAs bioavailability and effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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14 pages, 2387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Whey Peptide Supplementation on Sarcopenic Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

by Gahyun Lim and Yunsook Lim

Nutrients 2022, 14(20), 4402; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204402 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2829

Abstract

The incidence of sarcopenic obesity gradually increased in parallel with the aged population. This research examined the effects of whey peptide (WP) supplementation with/without resistant exercise (RE) on sarcopenic obesity. Male 8-month-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (10 kcal% fat) or a high-fat diet (60 kcal% fat) for 8 weeks. High-fat diet-fed mice were randomly divided into four groups: obesity control group (OB), RE (RE only), WP (WP only), and WPE (RE and WP). WP supplementation (1500 mg/day/kg B.W.) gavage and RE (ladder climbing, five times weekly, 8–10 repetitions, 10–20% B.W. load) were conducted for an additional 8 weeks. Protein and mRNA levels of markers related to energy, protein, and lipid metabolism were analyzed in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). WP supplementation regardless of RE significantly suppressed the increasing fat mass (p = 0.016) and decreasing lean mass (p = 0.014) and alleviated abnormal morphological changes in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue (p < 0.001). In adipose tissue, WP supplementation regardless of RE ameliorated dysregulated energy metabolism and contributed to the reduction in adipocyte differentiation (PPAR-γ (p = 0.017), C/EBPα (p = 0.034)). In skeletal muscle, WP supplementation regardless of RE alleviated energy metabolism dysregulation and resulted in down-regulated protein degradation (Atrogin-1 (p = 0.003), MuRF1 (p = 0.006)) and apoptosis (Bax) (p = 0.004). Taken together, the current study elucidated that WP supplementation regardless of RE has potential anti-obesity and anti-sarcopenic effects in sarcopenic obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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Review

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41 pages, 1501 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anabolic Resistance in the Pathogenesis of Sarcopenia in the Elderly: Role of Nutrition and Exercise in Young and Old People

by Caterina Tezze, Marco Sandri and Paolo Tessari

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 4073; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15184073 - 20 Sep 2023

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7197

Abstract

The development of sarcopenia in the elderly is associated with many potential factors and/or processes that impair the renovation and maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and strength as ageing progresses. Among them, a defect by skeletal muscle to respond to anabolic stimuli is to be considered. Common anabolic stimuli/signals in skeletal muscle are hormones (insulin, growth hormones, IGF-1, androgens, and β-agonists such epinephrine), substrates (amino acids such as protein precursors on top, but also glucose and fat, as source of energy), metabolites (such as β-agonists and HMB), various biochemical/intracellular mediators), physical exercise, neurogenic and immune-modulating factors, etc. Each of them may exhibit a reduced effect upon skeletal muscle in ageing. In this article, we overview the role of anabolic signals on muscle metabolism, as well as currently available evidence of resistance, at the skeletal muscle level, to anabolic factors, from both in vitro and in vivo studies. Some indications on how to augment the effects of anabolic signals on skeletal muscle are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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14 pages, 1201 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Contribution of Muscle Innate Immunity to Uremic Cachexia

by Pasquale Esposito, Daniela Verzola, Michela Saio, Daniela Picciotto, Marco Frascio, Alessandro Laudon, Valentina Zanetti, Giuliano Brunori, Giacomo Garibotto and Francesca Viazzi

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2832; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132832 - 21 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2581

Abstract

Protein energy wasting (PEW) is a common complication both in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Of note, PEW is one of the stronger predictors of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. The pathogenesis of PEW involves several mechanisms, including anorexia, insulin resistance, acidosis and low-grade inflammation. In addition, “sterile” muscle inflammation contributes to PEW at an advanced CKD stage. Both immune and resident muscle cells can activate innate immunity; thus, they have critical roles in triggering “sterile” tissue inflammation. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) can detect endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns generated or retained in blood in uremia and induce a sterile muscle inflammatory response via NF-κB in myocytes. In addition, TLR4, though the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, links the sensing of metabolic uremic stress in muscle to the activation of pro-inflammatory cascades, which lead to the production of IL-1β and IL-18. Finally, uremia-induced accelerated cell senescence is associated with a secretory phenotype that favors fibrosis in muscle. Targeting these innate immune pathways could lead to novel therapies for CKD-related PEW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Limiting Sarcopenia and Age-Related Diseases to Promote Healthy Aging)

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