Sarcopenia in the elderly versus microcirculation, inflammation status, and oxidative stress: A cross-sectional study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lopes, Karynne Grutter^{a; b; *} | Farinatti, Paulo^{c; d; e} | Bottino, Daniel Alexandre^{a; b} | de Souza, Maria das Graças Coelho^{a; b} | Maranhão, Priscila Alves^b | Bouskela, Eliete^{a; b} | Lourenço, Roberto Alves^f | de Oliveira, Ricardo Brandão^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical and Experimental Physiopathology, Rio de Janeiro State University, RJ, Brazil | [b] Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Research on Vascular Biology, Rio de Janeiro State University, RJ, Brazil | [c] Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, RJ, Brazil | [d] Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Rio de Janeiro State University, RJ, Brazil | [e] Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Salgado de Oliveira University, RJ, Brazil | [f] Research Laboratory on Human Aging, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, RJ, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Karynne Grutter Lopes, PhD, Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Research on Vascular Biology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Age-related mechanisms of sarcopenia associated with vascular function have been recently suggested. This study compared and tested associations between muscle mass and strength, microcirculation, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress in older adults classified as sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic. METHODS:Thirty-three physically inactive individuals (72±7 yrs) were assigned to age-matched sarcopenic (SG) and non-sarcopenic (NSG) groups. Between-group comparisons were performed for appendicular skeletal mass (ASM), handgrip and isokinetic strength, microvascular function and morphology, C-reactive protein, insulin-like growth factor-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, endothelin-1, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. RESULTS:ASM and knee isokinetic strength were lower in SG than NSG (P < 0.05). No difference between groups was found for outcomes of microvascular function and morphology, but log-transformed IL-6 concentration was twice greater in SG vs. NSG (P = 0.02). Correlations between ASM index, handgrip and knee isokinetic strength vs. markers of microcirculatory function, capillary diameters, vascular reactivity, and endothelial injury were found only in SG. CONCLUSION:Decreased ASM index and strength have been associated with microcirculatory profile, indicating that microcirculation impairment may be involved somehow in Sarcopenia development. The inflammation status, particularly elevated IL-6, seems to play an important role in this process.

Keywords: Aging, muscle mass, muscle strength, endothelial function, interleukin-6, health

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211202

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 80, no. 2, pp. 185-195, 2022