Vitamin D Deficiency and Sarcopenia in Older Persons

Vitamin D level as a predictor of dysmobility syndrome with type 2 diabetes

Dysmobility Syndrome (DMS), is a combination, that is analogous to the approach taken with metabolic syndrome, The diagnosis of DMS is complex. So this study aimed to explore the relationship between 25-(OH) Vit D with Dysmobility Syndrome (DMS)in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) patients. This is a cross-sectional study, including 330 patients (67.0 ± 8.8 years old) with T2DM who were admitted to the Qinhuangdao First Hospital from October 2020 to February 2022. Selected independent variables include grip strength, six-meter gait speed, level of 25-(OH) vitamin D, and bone mineral density (BMD) measured by Dual-energy X-ray (DXA). DMS includes six conditions: osteoporosis, low muscle mass, low muscle strength, slow gait speed, occurrences of falls in the past year ≥ 1, and obesity, having three or more of these conditions were diagnosed with DMS. Patients were classified based on DMS. The detection rate of DMS in patients with T2DM was 25.5%. The proportion of vitamin deficiency is 67.9% in patients with T2DM. The 25-(OH) Vit D deficiency was defined based on the 25th percentile into two groups; < 36.2 nmol/L. The vitamin D levels in Group DMS were significantly lower than that in Group Non-DMS (41.74 ± 14.60 vs. 47.19 ± 13.01, P < 0.05). After adjusting confounder factors including sex, age, vitamin D levels, HbA1c, ALB, HDLC, eGFR, diabetes microvascular complications and macrovascular, there was an independent association between risk of DMS and age (OR value = 1.160, 95% CI 1.091-1.234, P = 0.000), HbA1c(OR value = 1.262, 95% CI 1.046-1.532, P = 0.015), and vitamin D deficiency (< 36.2 nmol/L) (OR value = 2.990, 95% CI 1.284-6.964, P = 0.011). Our findings suggest that low levels of vitamin D are a predictor of DMS in middle-aged and elderly patients with poor control of type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence of Common Metabolic Bone Diseases Diagnosed by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scanning and Blood Test in Outpatients With Osteoarthritis the Knee

Introduction

Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee) is a common geriatric disease that require total knee arthroplasty. Periprosthetic fracture is one of the common complications, which is strongly related to metabolic bone disease.

Materials and methods

We conducted a prospective study on 291 outpatients with OA knee between November 2020 and April 2021. Baseline characteristics, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and blood test results were analysed using logistic regression analysis and expressed as odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals and P-values.

Results

Overall metabolic bone diseases were found in 82.91% of patients. Vitamin D insufficiency (53.38%) was the most prevalent, followed by osteopenia (44.38%), impaired renal function (26.69%), and osteoporosis (17.45%). Risk factors of vitamin D insufficiency are age ≥71 years (OR 0.33, P = 0.003) and bilateral affected side (OR 1.99, P = 0.007). For osteopenia and osteoporosis, risk factors were age, body mass index, affected side, and chronic kidney disease (P < 0.05).

Discussion

In the aspect of Vit D insufficiency, age>70 and bilateral OA knee were significantly related in many ways, such as reduction in cutaneous synthesis and daily exposure to sunlight and various diseases, including CKD and GI malabsorption. The risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis can be explained throughout several mechanisms. For instance, abnormality in hormone and cytokines metabolism will lead to the increase in adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. And that situation may lead to the decrease in osteoblast differentiation and increased osteoclast activity which could lead to negative impact on bone strength.

Conclusions

Metabolic bone diseases were common in most patients with OA knee, and the insufficiency in amount of vitamin D(serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D), osteoporosis, and osteopenia conditions were mainly identified. These preventable conditions have risk factors that are mostly correctable These preventable conditions have risk factors that are mostly correctable, for example gain more outdoor activities, consume vitamin D supplement or start osteoporosis treatment program. Further analysis is necessary to establish solid evidence in the comparison of risk factors between the OA and non-OA groups.

Aging alone or combined with obesity increases white adipose tissue inflammatory status in male mice

White adipose tissue (WAT) has been recognized as a fundamental and crucial organ of interest in research focusing on inflammation during obesity or aging. WAT is also proposed as a significant component of cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) storage, which participates in the decrease of 25(OH)D plasma levels reported during aging and obesity. In the present study, we evaluated WAT and plasma cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D content together with inflammatory status to highlight the putative relationship between vitamin D status and inflammatory process during aging alone or combined with obesity. Circulating cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D and the stored quantity of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT were quantified in young and old mice fed a control or obesogenic diet. The inflammation was assessed by measuring plasma inflammatory cytokines, mRNA, and microRNAs inflammatory-associated in WAT. The combination of aging and obesity decreased 25(OH)D plasma levels but did not modify circulating inflammatory markers. A cumulative effect of aging and obesity was observed in WAT, with rising mRNA inflammatory cytokines, notably Ccl5 and Tnf. Interestingly, aging and obesity-associated were also characterized by increased inflammatory microRNA expression. The inflammatory parameters in WAT were negatively correlated with the plasma 25(OH)D but positively correlated with the quantity of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT. These results support the cumulative effect of obesity and aging in aggravation of WAT inflammation and suggest that accumulation of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D in WAT could constitute a mechanism to counteract WAT inflammation during aging and obesity.

Mechanisms of osteoporosis associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms due to inflammatory and destructive changes of the lung leading to progressive airflow obstruction. Fragility fractures associated with osteoporosis are among major comorbidities and have significant impacts on quality of life and prognosis of patients with COPD. Evidence suggests that both decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone quality contribute to bone fragility and resultant fractures in COPD. Although various clinical risk factors of osteoporosis have been described, mechanisms of COPD-associated osteoporosis are still largely unknown. In addition, its specific treatment has not been established, either. Previous studies have suggested involvement of low BMI and sarcopenia in the pathogenesis of COPD-associated osteoporosis. In this narrative review, we will propose critical roles of vitamin D deficiency and inflammation, both of which are often present in COPD and may underlie the development of osteosarcopenia and impaired bone quality, ultimately causing fractures in COPD patients.

Anabolic Strategies for ICU-Acquired Weakness. What Can We Learn from Bodybuilders?

The study aimed to show the potential clinical application of supplements used among sportsmen for patients suffering from Intensive Care Unit-acquired Weakness (ICUAW) treatment. ICUAW is a common complication affecting approximately 40% of critically ill patients, often leading to long-term functional disability. ICUAW comprises critical illness polyneuropathy, critical illness myopathy, or a combination of both, such as critical illness polyneuromyopathy. Muscle degeneration begins shortly after the initiation of mechanical ventilation and persists post-ICU discharge until proteolysis and autophagy processes normalize. Several factors, including prolonged bedrest and muscle electrical silencing, contribute to muscle weakness, resulting from an imbalance between protein degradation and synthesis. ICUAW is associated with tissue hypoxia, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, reduced glucose uptake, lower adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased free-radical production. Several well-studied dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals commonly used by athletes are proven to prevent the aforementioned mechanisms or aid in muscle building, regeneration, and maintenance. While there is no standardized treatment to prevent the occurrence of ICUAW, nutritional interventions have demonstrated the potential for its mitigation. The use of ergogenic substances, popular among muscle-building sociates, may offer potential benefits in preventing muscle loss and aiding recovery based on their work mechanisms.

Association between vitamin D insufficiency and depressive symptoms, and functional disability in community-dwelling Brazilian older adults: results from ELSI-Brazil study

Low serum 25(OH)D levels (< 30 nmol/L) have been associated with increased depressive symptom scores over time, and it is believed that functionality may play a mediating role in the relationship between 25(OH)D and depressive symptoms. To comprehend the association between these factors could have significant implications for public health policy. The aim of this study was to verify the association between simultaneous vitamin D insufficiency and depressive symptoms, and functional disability in community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), collected between 2015 and 2016. The outcomes were functional disability assessed through basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The exposures were vitamin D insufficiency (< 30 nmol/L) and depressive symptoms (≥ 4 points in 8-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression). Crude and adjusted Poisson regression was performed to estimate associations. A total of 1781 community-dwelling older adults included in this study, 14.6% had disability in ADL and 47.9% in IADL; 59.7% had vitamin D insufficient levels, and 33.2% depressive symptoms. The concomitant presence of vitamin D insufficient and depressive symptoms increased the prevalence of ADL by 2.20 (95% CI: 1.25; 3.86) and IADL by 1.54 (95% CI: 1.24; 1.91), respectively. Therefore, preventive strategies to keep older adults physically and socially active, with a good level of vitamin D, are essential to avoid depression and functional disability.

Vitamin D Status and Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Prospective Observational Study

Background

Alterations in body weight and composition are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are independent predictors for morbidity and mortality. Low vitamin D status is also more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls and has been related to lower lung function, muscle atrophy and impaired musculoskeletal function. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and status with body composition (BC), as well as with its changes over time.

Patients and Methods

Patients with COPD and controls without COPD, participating in the Individualized COPD Evaluation in relation to Ageing (ICE-Age) study, a prospective observational study, were included. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured at baseline and BC was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, at baseline and after two years of follow-up. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between 25(OH)D (nmol/l) and longitudinal changes in BMI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mas index (FMI) and bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

A total of 192 patients with COPD (57% males, mean ± SD age, 62 ± 7, FEV1, 49 ± 16% predicted) and 199 controls (45% males, mean ± SD age 61 ± 7) were included in this study. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with COPD (64 ± 26 nmol/L, 95% CI 60-68 nmol/L versus 75 ± 25 nmol/L, 95% CI 72-79 nmol/L) compared to controls. Both patients and controls presented a significant decline in FFMI and T-score hip, but vitamin D level or status did not determine differences in BC or changes in BC over time in either COPD or controls.

Conclusion

Vitamin D status was not associated with BC or longitudinal changes in BC. However, vitamin D insufficiency and low BMD were more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls.

Prediabetes and diabetes were attributed to the prevalence and severity of sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly adults

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia and diabetes are both prevalent health problems worldwide. However, little is known about the relationship between prediabetes and the prevalence and severity of sarcopenia. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the association between glucose status and the components of sarcopenia, including low muscle mass (LMM), low muscle strength (LMS) and low gait speed (LGS) in US adults.

METHODS

Data from the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. A total of 4002 participants aged ≥ 50 years with available information on glucose status (NGR: 1939 cases; prediabetes: 1172 cases; diabetes: 891 cases) and sarcopenia were included in this study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Foundation for National Institute of Health criteria. Muscle mass, muscle strength and gait speed were used to evaluate sarcopenia and its severity. Weighed multivariable logistic regression were used to explore the association between glucose status and the components of sarcopenia. The hypothetical population attributable fraction (PAF) for the glucose status was also calculated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 63.01 ± 9.89 years, with 49.4% being male. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that diabetes was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia (OR = 5.470, 95% CI 1.551-19.296) and showed a marginal association with severe sarcopenia (OR = 10.693, 95% CI 0.955-119.73) compared to NGR in men, but not in women. Additionally, prediabetes was independently associated with severe sarcopenia (OR = 3.647, 95% CI 1.532-8.697), LMS (OR = 1.472, 95% CI 1.018-2.127) and LGS (OR = 1.673, 95% CI 1.054-2.655) in the entire cohort. When stratifying by gender, we further observed that prediabetes was significantly associated with LMS in men (OR = 1.897, 95% CI 1.019-3.543) and related to LMM (OR = 3.174, 95% CI 1.287-7.829) and LGS (OR = 2.075, 95% CI 1.155-3.727) in women. HbA1c was positively associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia in men (OR = 1.993, 95% CI 1.511-2.629). PAF showed that diabetes accounted for 16.3% of observed sarcopenia cases. Maintaining NGR in the entire population could have prevented 38.5% of sarcopenia cases and 50.9% of severe sarcopenia cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetes and diabetes were independently associated with the prevalence and severity of sarcopenia in US population. Slowing down the progression of hyperglycemia could have prevented a significant proportion of sarcopenia cases.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of sarcopenia in cirrhosis of the liver

INTRODUCTION

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common and impact the prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. The etiology is multifactorial and includes periods of reduced caloric intake, increased catabolism and direct molecular mechanisms that inhibit muscle synthesis. Although these conditions are widely acknowledged, and there is a growing interest in their diagnosis, robust evidence regarding the treatment and reversibility of these conditions is still lacking.

AREAS COVERED

We have explored the current evidence on the pharmacological treatment of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Additionally, we have searched for drugs already in use and ongoing trials for other chronic diseases.

EXPERT OPINION

The current guidelines recommend the use of a protein-adequate diet and moderate physical activity for treating sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Currently, robust evidence is derived only from the supplementation of Branched-Chain Amino Acids, capable of increasing muscle mass and function. There are many drugs targeting various pathways that contribute to sarcopenia. However, evidence is sporadic and insufficient to suggest their use in clinical practice.Novel drugs specifically designed to enhance muscle mass and function should be developed. Finally, gender significantly influences the type of muscle alteration and therapeutic mechanisms; therefore, future studies should be designed taking gender differences into consideration.

Frontiers in sarcopenia: Advancements in diagnostics, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies

The onset of sarcopenia is intimately linked with aging, posing significant implications not only for individual patient quality of life but also for the broader societal healthcare framework. Early and accurate identification of sarcopenia and a comprehensive understanding of its mechanistic underpinnings and therapeutic targets paramount to addressing this condition effectively. This review endeavors to present a cohesive overview of recent advancements in sarcopenia research and diagnosis. We initially delve into the contemporary diagnostic criteria, specifically referencing the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) 2 and Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 benchmarks. Additionally, we elucidate comprehensive assessment techniques for muscle strength, quantity, and physical performance, highlighting tools such as grip strength, chair stand test, dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), gait speed, and short physical performance battery (SPPB), while also discussing their inherent advantages and limitations. Such diagnostic advancements pave the way for early identification and unequivocal diagnosis of sarcopenia. Proceeding further, we provide a deep-dive into sarcopenia's pathogenesis, offering a thorough examination of associated signaling pathways like the Myostatin, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), insulin/IGF-1 Signaling (IIS), and the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathways. Each pathway's role in sarcopenia mediation is detailed, underscoring potential therapeutic target avenues. From a mechanistic perspective, the review also underscores the pivotal role of mitochondrial dysfunction in sarcopenia, emphasizing elements such as mitochondrial oxidative overload, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitophagy, and highlighting their therapeutic significance. At last, we capture recent strides made in sarcopenia treatment, ranging from nutritional and exercise interventions to potential pharmacological and supplementation strategies. In sum, this review meticulously synthesizes the latest scientific developments in sarcopenia, aiming to enhance diagnostic precision in clinical practice and provide comprehensive insights into refined mechanistic targets and innovative therapeutic interventions, ultimately contributing to optimized patient care and advancements in the field.

Navigating the Intersection: Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are intricate systemic conditions that can extend beyond the gastrointestinal tract through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Sarcopenia, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and strength, often emerges as a consequence of the clinical course of IBDs. Indeed, sarcopenia exhibits a high prevalence in Crohn's disease (52%) and ulcerative colitis (37%). While computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging remain gold-standard methods for assessing muscle mass, ultrasound is gaining traction as a reliable, cost-effective, and widely available diagnostic method. Muscle strength serves as a key indicator of muscle function, with grip strength test emerging nowadays as the most reliable assessment method. In IBDs, sarcopenia may arise from factors such as inflammation, malnutrition, and gut dysbiosis, leading to the formulation of the 'gut-muscle axis' hypothesis. This condition determines an increased need for surgery with poorer post-surgical outcomes and a reduced response to biological treatments. Sarcopenia and its consequences lead to reduced quality of life (QoL), in addition to the already impaired QoL. Of emerging concern is sarcopenic obesity in IBDs, a challenging condition whose pathogenesis and management are still poorly understood. Resistance exercise and nutritional interventions, particularly those aimed at augmenting protein intake, have demonstrated efficacy in addressing sarcopenia in IBDs. Furthermore, anti-TNF biological therapies showed interesting outcomes in managing this condition. This review seeks to furnish a comprehensive overview of sarcopenia in IBDs, elucidating diagnostic methodologies, pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical implications and management. Attention will also be paid to sarcopenic obesity, exploring the pathophysiology and possible treatment modalities of this condition.

Exploring the impact of vitamin D on tendon health: a comprehensive review

Tendons are vital components of the musculoskeletal system, facilitating movement and supporting mechanical loads. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D, beyond its well-established role in bone health, exerts significant effects on tendon physiology. The aim of this manuscript is to review the impact of vitamin D on tendons, focusing on its mechanisms of action, clinical implications, and therapeutic applications. A comprehensive search of scientific electronic databases was conducted to identify articles on the effects of vitamin D on tendon health. Fourteen studies were included in this review. Five studies were performed in vitro, and nine studies were conducted in vivo. Despite some conflicting results, the included studies showed that vitamin D regulates collagen synthesis, inflammation, and mineralization within tendons through its interaction with vitamin D receptors. Epidemiological studies link vitamin D deficiency with tendon disorders, including tendinopathy and impaired healing. Supplementation with vitamin D shows promise in improving tendon strength and function, particularly in at-risk populations such as athletes and the elderly. Future research should address optimal supplementation strategies and explore the interplay between vitamin D and other factors influencing tendon health. Integrating vitamin D optimization into clinical practice could enhance tendon integrity and reduce the burden of tendon-related pathologies.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Low-Energy Hip Fractures in Accordance With the Mediterranean Paradox

Introduction Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is considered one of the leading causes of poor bone quality. It may also be related to severe muscular weakness, especially in the elderly, which leads to frequent falls. Thus, VDD might be associated with fragility fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine in this age category. In this cross-sectional study, our goal was to present vitamin D levels in an elderly Mediterranean population with hip fractures and to assess whether its levels are related to the incidence or prevention of such injuries. Methods Between January and December 2021, 140 patients aged 65 years or older were hospitalized in our department with a fracture involving the hip joint. Serum calcium and vitamin D level control was performed upon admission, as well as recording whether anti-osteoporosis medication had been prescribed. Only patients with low-energy fractures were included, whereas oncologic patients and those with high-energy trauma were excluded. Results Thirty-eight men and 102 women, with a mean age of 83.12 and 84.88 years, respectively, participated in our study. Intertrochanteric fractures were the most common injuries (50.72%). Low vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL) were observed in 132 patients (94.28%). A bone density scan during the last year had been conducted by only seven patients (5%), whereas in 136 patients (97.14%), no anti-osteoporotic medication was given. Conclusion There is an excessive percentage of aged patients with hip fractures in Greece, demonstrating a significant vitamin D insufficiency despite the high annual frequency of sunny days in this Mediterranean region. Presumably, most of these patients neither perform the routine bone density scan nor do they take any kind of preventive pharmaceutical treatment, which might reveal devaluation of osteoporosis from this age group due to contingent comorbidities.

Approaching the Sarcopenic Patient with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-related Cirrhosis

Sarcopenia is a well-known complication of chronic liver disease (CLD), and it is almost always observed in patients with cirrhosis, at least in those with decompensated disease. Since nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is becoming the leading cause of end-stage liver disease, a new scenario characterized by the frequent coexistence of NAFLD, obesity, and sarcopenia is emerging. Although it is not yet resolved whether the bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD subtends causal determinants, it is clear that the interaction of these two conditions is associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes. Notably, during the course of CLD, deregulation of the liver-muscle-adipose tissue axis has been described. Unfortunately, owing to the lack of properly designed studies, specific therapeutic guidelines for patients with sarcopenia in the context of NAFLD-related CLD have not yet been defined. Strategies aimed to induce the loss of fat mass together with the maintenance of lean body mass seem most appropriate. This can be achieved by properly designed diets integrated with specific nutritional supplementations and accompanied by adequate physical exercise. Future studies aiming to add to the knowledge of the correct assessment and approach to sarcopenia in the context of NAFLD-related CLD are eagerly awaited.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation to Parameter of Sarcopenia in Elderly People: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Vitamin D plays an essential role in promoting skeletal muscle metabolism. Several studies show that vitamin D may help the elderly prevent sarcopenia. Nevertheless, the outcome remains debatable. Our meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effect of vitamin D supplementation on sarcopenia-related parameters.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Springer, SAGE Journals, and Scopus abstracts on 10th December 2021 for relevant studies. We included articles that studied the effect of vitamin D on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. The aim was to measure the muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance both at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

Results

A total of 6,628 participants from 35 studies were included. Most of the studies used oral vitamin D, whereas only one study used intramuscular injection. The effect of vitamin D supplementation showed no effect on appendicular skeletal muscle mass (SMD = .05 [95% CI, .33 - .44], p = .79). Regarding muscle strength, vitamin D supplementation did not have a significant effect on muscle strength which is handgrip strength (p = .26). Respecting physical performance, vitamin D supplementation did not affect TUG (Timed Up and Go) (p = .45).

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplementation had minimal effect on sarcopenia-related parameters. Further research into understanding the role of Vitamin D in preventing the progressivity of sarcopenia still needs to be explored.

Vitamin D metabolism is altered during aging alone or combined with obesity in male mice

Aging and obesity are associated with a decrease in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. In the context of a growing aging population and the rising incidence of obesity, we hypothesized that aging process, either independently or in combination with obesity, could influence vitamin D (VD) metabolism, consequently resulting in the reduced 25(OH)D plasma concentrations. C57BL/6JRJ young (6 months) and old (23 months) mice fed with control (CD) or high fat diet (HF) were compared. Plasma and adipose concentration of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D and mRNA expression of genes coding for the main VD actors were analyzed. Aging was associated with a decrease in plasma 25(OH)D levels, whereas combined effect of obesity and aging did not generate a cumulative effect on plasma 25(OH)D levels. The mRNA expression of Cyp27a1, Cyp3a11, and Cyp2j6 were decreased in the liver during aging. Together, these regulations could explain the reduced 25-hydroxylation. Interestingly, the lack of cumulative reduction of 25(OH)D in aged and obese mice could be related to the strong induction of Cyp2j6. In kidneys, a complex modulation of Cyp27b1 and Cyp24a1 could contribute to the reduced 25-hydroxylation in the liver. In white adipose tissue, an induction of Cyp2r1 was observed during aging and obesity, together with an increase of 25(OH)D quantity, suggesting an exacerbated storage that may participated to the reduced plasma 25(OH)D levels. These findings support the notion that aging alone or combined with obesity, induces regulation of VD metabolism in the organs, beyond the classical reduction of epidermal VD precursor, which may contribute to the decrease in 25(OH)D levels.

Combined Plasma DHA-Containing Phosphatidylcholine PCaa C38:6 and Tetradecanoyl-Carnitine as an Early Biomarker for Assessing the Mortality Risk among Sarcopenic Patients

The coming of the hyper-aged society in Taiwan prompts us to investigate the relationship between the metabolic status of sarcopenic patients and their most adverse outcome-death. We studied the association between any plasma metabolites and the risk for mortality among older Taiwanese sarcopenic patients. We applied a targeted metabolomic approach to study the plasma metabolites of adults aged ≥65 years, and identified the metabolic signature predictive of the mortality of sarcopenic patients who died within a 5.5-year follow-up period. Thirty-five sarcopenic patients who died within the follow-up period (Dead cohort) had shown a specific plasma metabolic signature, as compared with 54 patients who were alive (Alive cohort). Only 10 of 116 non-sarcopenic individuals died during the same period. After multivariable adjustment, we found that sex, hypertension, tetradecanoyl-carnitine (C14-carnitine), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-containing phosphatidylcholine diacyl (PCaa) C38:6 and C40:6 were important risk factors for the mortality of sarcopenic patients. Low PCaa C38:6 levels and high C14-carnitine levels correlated with an increased mortality risk; this was even the same for those patients with hypertension (HTN). Our findings suggest that plasma PCaa C38:6 and acylcarnitine C14-carnitine, when combined, can be a better early biomarker for evaluating the mortality risk of sarcopenia patients.

Nutrient Intake and Its Association with Appendicular Total Lean Mass and Muscle Function and Strength in Older Adults: A Population-Based Study

Treatment options for sarcopenia are currently limited, and primarily rely on two main therapeutic approaches: resistance-based physical activity and dietary interventions. However, details about specific nutrients in the diet or supplementation are unclear. We aim to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and lean mass, function, and strength. Data were derived from the Gothenburg H70 birth cohort study in Sweden, including 719,70-year-olds born in 1944 (54.1% females). For independent variables, the diet history method (face-to-face interviews) was used to estimate habitual food intake during the preceding three months. Dependent variables were gait speed (muscle performance), hand grip strength (muscle strength), and the appendicular lean soft tissue index (ALSTI). Linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between the dependent variables and each of the covariates. Several nutrients were positively associated with ALSTI, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA, EPA), selenium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin equivalent, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and protein. After correction for multiple comparisons, there were no remaining correlations with handgrip and gait speed. Findings of positive correlations for some nutrients with lean mass suggest a role for these nutrients in maintaining muscle volume. These results can be used to inform clinical trials to expand the preventive strategies and treatment options for individuals at risk of muscle loss and sarcopenia.

Machine learning-based prediction of vitamin D deficiency: NHANES 2001-2018

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with the development of several diseases. In the current context of a global pandemic of vitamin D deficiency, it is critical to identify people at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. There are no prediction tools for predicting the risk of vitamin D deficiency in the general community population, and this study aims to use machine learning to predict the risk of vitamin D deficiency using data that can be obtained through simple interviews in the community.

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2018 dataset is used for the analysis which is randomly divided into training and validation sets in the ratio of 70:30. GBM, LR, NNet, RF, SVM, XGBoost methods are used to construct the models and their performance is evaluated. The best performed model was interpreted using the SHAP value and further development of the online web calculator.

Results

There were 62,919 participants enrolled in the study, and all participants included in the study were 2 years old and above, of which 20,204 (32.1%) participants had vitamin D deficiency. The models constructed by each method were evaluated using AUC as the primary evaluation statistic and ACC, PPV, NPV, SEN, SPE, F1 score, MCC, Kappa, and Brier score as secondary evaluation statistics. Finally, the XGBoost-based model has the best and near-perfect performance. The summary plot of SHAP values shows that the top three important features for this model are race, age, and BMI. An online web calculator based on this model can easily and quickly predict the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusion

In this study, the XGBoost-based prediction tool performs flawlessly and is highly accurate in predicting the risk of vitamin D deficiency in community populations.

Association between sarcopenia and new-onset chronic kidney disease among middle-aged and elder adults: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a senile syndrome of age-related muscle loss. It is thought to affect the development of chronic kidney disease and has a serious impact on the quality of life of the elder adults. Little is known about the association between sarcopenia and new-onset chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elder adults. Using nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted a longitudinal analysis to investigate the association between sarcopenia status and new-onset chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elder adults in China.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 3676 participants aged 45 or older selected from 2011 CHARLS database who had no history of chronic kidney disease at the baseline and completed the follow-up in 2015. A multivariate cox regression model was employed to examine the association between sarcopenia and the incidence of new-onset chronic kidney disease.

RESULTS

Followed up for 4 years, a total of 873 (22.5%) new cases of chronic kidney disease occurred. Among them, participants diagnosed with sarcopenia (HR1.45; 95% CI 1.15-1.83) were more likely to develop new-onset chronic kidney disease than those without sarcopenia. Similarly, patients with sarcopenia were more likely to develop new-onset chronic kidney disease than those with possible sarcopenia (HR 1.27; 95%CI 1.00-1.60). Subgroup analysis revealed that elder adults aged between 60 and 75 years old (HR 1.666; 95%CI 1.20-22.28), with hypertension (HR 1.57; 95%CI 1.02-2.40), people with sarcopenia had a significantly higher risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease than those without sarcopenia (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Middle-aged and elder adults diagnosed with sarcopenia have a higher risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease.

Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Sarcopenia in Patients Undergoing Chronic Haemodialysis

INTRODUCTION

Sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency are highly prevalent among patients undergoing haemodialysis. Although vitamin D deficiency, assessed using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, is known to be associated with sarcopenia in the general population, whether serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with sarcopenia in patients undergoing haemodialysis with suppressed renal activation of 25(OH)D remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and sarcopenia in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

METHODS

Serum 25(OH)D level measurements and assessment of sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria were conducted in 95 stable outpatients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis therapy.

RESULTS

Sarcopenia was observed in 22 (23.1%) patients. In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.99, p = 0.039) independent of traditional risk factors for sarcopenia. In multiple linear regression analyses, serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with parameters of skeletal muscle mass and strength (β = 0.145, p = 0.046, and β = 0.194, p = 0.020, respectively). The adjusted OR for sarcopenia was 5.60 (95% CI 1.52-20.57, p = 0.009) in the vitamin D deficiency group categorized based on the cut-off serum 25(OH)D level of 10 ng/mL. Regarding model discrimination, adding vitamin D deficiency to the traditional risk factors significantly improved the integrated discrimination improvement score (0.093, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Lower serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with sarcopenia independent of traditional risk factors in patients undergoing haemodialysis with suppressed vitamin D activation in the kidney. This finding implies that circulating 25(OH)D may have an important relationship with the skeletal muscle function of patients undergoing haemodialysis, and its measurement may be recommended to identify patients at high risk for sarcopenia among those undergoing haemodialysis.

Effects of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength and falls in elderly people: an updated meta-analysis

Background

Elderly people are at high risk of falls due to decreased muscle strength. So far, there is currently no officially approved medication for treating muscle strength loss. The active vitamin D analogues are promising but inconsistent results have been reported in previous studies. The present study was to meta-analyze the effect of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength and falls in elderly people.

Methods

The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (record number: CRD42021266978). We searched two databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library up until August 2023. Risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess the effects of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength or falls.

Results

Regarding the effects of calcitriol (n= 1), alfacalcidol (n= 1) and eldecalcitol (n= 1) on falls, all included randomized controlled trials (RCT) recruited 771 participants. Regarding the effects of the effects of calcitriol (n= 4), alfacalcidol (n= 3) and eldecalcitol (n= 3) on muscle strength, all included RCTs recruited 2431 participants. The results showed that in the pooled analysis of three active vitamin D analogues, active vitamin D analogues reduced the risk of fall by 19%. Due to a lack of sufficient data, no separate subgroup analysis was conducted on the effect of each active vitamin D analogue on falls. In the pooled and separate analysis of active vitamin D analogues, no significant effects were found on global muscle, hand grip, and back extensor strength. However, a significant enhancement of quadriceps strength was observed in the pooled analysis and separate analysis of alfacalcidol and eldecalcitol. The separate subgroup analysis on the impact of calcitriol on the quadriceps strength was not performed due to the lack to sufficient data. The results of pooled and separate subgroup analysis of active vitamin D analogues with or without calcium supplementation showed that calcium supplementation did not affect the effect of vitamin D on muscle strength.

Conclusions

The use of active vitamin D analogues does not improve global muscle, hand grip, and back extensor strength but improves quadriceps strength and reduces risk of falls in elderly population.

Relationship of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, obesity with new-onset obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

The prospective association between vitamin D and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains uncertain. We aimed to assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), a major circulating form of vitamin D, and new-onset OSA, and examine the modifying effect of obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 444,975 participants from UK Biobank without prior OSA. The primary outcome was new-onset OSA.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up duration of 12.0 years, 6051 (1.4%) participants occurred new-onset OSA. Overall, there was an inverse relation of serum 25(OH)D concentrations with the risk of new-onset OSA (per SD increment, HR, 0.92; 95%CI: 0.89-0.95). In the analysis of the interactions of serum 25(OH)D with the combination of BMI (<25, 25- < 30, and ≥30 kg/m2) and waist circumference (WC) (<90 and ≥90 cm) categories on new-onset OSA, the significantly inverse association of serum 25(OH)D and new-onset OSA was mainly found in participants with both BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and WC ≥ 90 cm (BMI 25-30 kg/m2 and WC ≥ 90 cm: per SD increment, HR, 0.90; 95%CI: 0.84-0.95; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and WC ≥ 90 cm: per SD increment, HR, 0.85; 95%CI: 0.81-0.88), but not in other four groups with BMI < 25 kg/m2 or WC < 90 cm (P -interaction = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

There was an inverse relation of serum 25(OH)D with the risk of new-onset OSA in participants with both BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and WC ≥ 90 cm. Our findings suggest the importance of maintaining a higher serum 25(OH)D concentration for primary prevention of OSA in a population with obesity.

Diagnostic Criteria and Measurement Techniques of Sarcopenia: A Critical Evaluation of the Up-to-Date Evidence

Sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome characterized by progressive skeletal muscle mass and function decline, poses a significant health risk among the elderly, contributing to frailty, falls, hospitalization, loss of independence and mortality. The prevalence of sarcopenia varies significantly based on various factors, such as living status, demographics, measurement techniques and diagnostic criteria. Although the overall prevalence is reported at 10% in individuals aged 60 and above, disparities exist across settings, with higher rates in nursing homes and hospitals. Additionally, the differences in prevalence between Asian and non-Asian countries highlight the impact of cultural and ethnic factors, and variations in diagnostic criteria, cut-off values and assessment methods contribute to the observed heterogeneity in reported rates. This review outlines diverse diagnostic criteria and several measurement techniques supporting decision making in clinical practice. Moreover, it facilitates the selection of appropriate tools to assess sarcopenia, emphasizing its multifactorial nature. Various scientific groups, including the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS), the American Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC), have published consensus papers outlining diverse definitions of sarcopenia. The choice of diagnostic criteria should be aligned with the specific objectives of the study or clinical practice, considering the characteristics of the study population and available resources.

Combined effects of vitamin D deficiency and systemic inflammation on all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in older adults

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency and systemic inflammation share common pathological mechanisms in muscle loss, cardio-pulmonary function decline, and abnormal metabolism, which are linked to chronic conditions, senescence, and early mortality. However, their combined effect on mortality in older adults has not been well established. This study longitudinal aimed to explore the independent and combined associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with mortality risk in Chinese community-based older people.

METHODS

3072 older adults (86.07 ± 11.87 years, 54.52% female) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018) were enrolled. Baseline 25(OH)D and hs-CRP levels were collected, and survival information was recorded in the 2014 and 2018 follow-up waves. Cox proportional hazard regressions were conducted to explore the associations between 25(OH)D, hs-CRP, and mortality. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and chronic disease biomarkers were adjusted.

RESULTS

During 10,622.3 person-years of follow-up (median: 3.51 years), 1321 older adults died, including 448 deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased mortality risk was associated with lower 25(OH)D and higher hs-CRP quantiles, even after adjusting for each other and multiple covariates (all P-trend < 0.05). In combined analyses, the highest all-cause mortality (HR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.73 ~ 2.56), CVD mortality (HR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.64 ~ 3.21), and non-CVD mortality (HR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.79 ~ 2.49) were obtained in participants with both 25(OH)D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) and high hs-CRP (≥ 3.0 mg/L), respectively. We observed significant additive interactions of 25(OH)D and hs-CRP on all-cause mortality and non-CVD mortality (RERIS>0).

CONCLUSIONS

Low 25(OH)D and high hs-CRP, both independently and jointly, increase mortality risk in Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Thus, priority should be given to early detection and appropriate intervention in older individuals with combined vitamin D deficiency and systemic inflammation. Molecular mechanisms of related adverse health effect are worthy of further investigation.

Vitamin D, Cognition, and Alzheimer's Disease: Observational and Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Studies

Background

Observational studies have found that vitamin D supplementation is associated with improved cognition. Further, recent Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have shown that higher vitamin D levels, 25(OH)D, may protect against Alzheimer's disease. Thus, it is possible that 25(OH)D may protect against Alzheimer's disease by improving cognition.

Objective

We assessed this hypothesis, by examining the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and seven cognitive measurements.

Methods

To mitigate bias from confounding, we performed two-sample MR analyses. We used instruments from three publications: Manousaki et al. (2020), Sutherland et al. (2022), and the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration/EPIC-CVD/Vitamin D Studies Collaboration (2021).

Results

Our observational studies suggested a protective association between 25(OH)D levels and cognitive measures. An increase in the natural log of 25(OH)D by 1 SD was associated with a higher PACC score (BetaPACC score = 0.06, 95% CI = (0.04-0.08); p = 1.8×10-10). However, in the MR analyses, the estimated effect of 25(OH)D on cognitive measures was null. Specifically, per 1 SD increase in genetically estimated natural log of 25(OH)D, the PACC scores remained unchanged in the overall population, (BetaPACC score = -0.01, 95% CI (-0.06 to 0.03); p = 0.53), and amongst individuals aged over 60 (BetaPACC score = 0.03, 95% CI (-0.028 to 0.08); p = 0.35).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our MR study found no clear evidence to support a protective role of increased 25(OH)D concentrations on cognitive performance in European ancestry individuals. However, our study cannot entirely dismiss the potential beneficial effect on PACC for individuals over the age of 60.

Vitamin D insufficiency and disease risk in the elderly

Vitamin D insufficiency, milder than deficiency, is common, and a risk of various diseases. Since vitamin D exert diverse actions, both skeletal and non-skeletal, its insufficiency is a risk of various diseases including osteoporosis, sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even mortality. Regarding the association of vitamin D status and disease risk, a marked discrepancy exists between the results from the observational studies and intervention studies, mostly yielding the positive and negative results in the former and latter, respectively. Such inconsistency probably arises from methodological problems, of which the baseline vitamin D status would be the most important. Vitamin D intervention would be effective in the deficient/insufficient subjects, but not in sufficient subjects. Since the elderly subjects, especially the institutionalized people, are mostly vitamin D deficient/insufficient, they are likely to benefit from improvement of vitamin D status. Vitamin insufficiency is a risk of various diseases, and correcting the vitamin status alone would reduce the risk of many diseases, and favorable to avoid the undesirable consequences of polypharmacy in the elderly. Additionally, disease prevention by nutritional improvement is cheap and free from side effects, and suited for the primary prevention of diseases.

Impact of vitamin D deficiency on mortality in patients with hip fracture: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health issues, including an increased risk of hip fractures. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and mortality in patients with hip fracture. To assess the impact of different levels of vitamin D deficiency on mortality in patients with hip fractures and examine the influence of potential confounding factors.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library was conducted, resulting in nine eligible cohort studies (n = 4409). Patients with hip fractures were categorized based on their vitamin D levels as severe, moderate, or insufficient. Mortality was the primary outcome measure in this study. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the follow-up time. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model in Review Manager 5.4.

RESULTS

Nine studies, with a pool of 4409 patients, were included. Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly associated with increased mortality (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.46; I2  = 4%). Severe deficiency also led to a significant increase in mortality (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.09-3.97; I2  = 42%), whereas moderate deficiency did not show a significant effect (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.79-1.44; I2  = 0%). Subgroup analysis revealed significant associations between vitamin D insufficiency and increased mortality at 1-year (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06-1.77) and 2-year follow-ups (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.01-3.15). After adjusting for potential confounders, no significant increase in the mortality rate was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D insufficiency and severe deficiency are associated with increased mortality in patients with hip fracture. However, after adjusting for confounding factors, this association was not statistically significant. Further research is necessary to understand the role of vitamin D deficiency in this population.

What Does Sarcopenia Have to Do with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. As the second stage of developing steatosis, nonalcoholic hepatitis (NASH) carries the risk of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sarcopenia is defined as a condition characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and functional decline. Both NAFLD and sarcopenia are global problems. The pathophysiological mechanisms that link the two entities of the disease are insulin resistance, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, impairment of myostatin and adiponectin, or physical inactivity. Furthermore, disorders of the gut-liver axis appear to induce the process of developing NAFLD and sarcopenia. The correlations between NAFLD and sarcopenia appear to be bidirectional, so the main objective of the review was to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between the two diseases.

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation in winter on physical performance of university students: a one-month randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is epidemiological evidence which suggests an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and bone and muscle function; however, it is unclear whether vitamin D supplementation has an added benefit beyond bone health. Here, we investigated the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation (1 month) on physical performance in Chinese university students in winter.

METHODS

One hundred and seventeen eligible subjects with 25(OH)D (19.2 ± 7.8 ng/mL) were randomly assigned to either vitamin D3 supplement (N = 56; 1000 IU/day) or the control (N = 61) group for 1 month. Pre- and post-measurements included: 1) serum levels of 25(OH)D; 2) musculoskeletal and pulmonary function [vertical jump height (VJH) and right handgrip strength (RHS), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume at 1s (FEV1)]; 3) bone turnover markers [parathyroid hormone (PTH), n-terminal osteocalcin (N-MID), and calcium]; 4) hemoglobin-related parameters [hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), red blood cells (RBC), and red cell distribution width (RDW)]; 5) lipid parameters [total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)]; 6) Fatigue-related indicators [serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total testosterone (T)]. In addition, aerobic capacity was assessed by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) at baseline.

RESULTS

During wintertime, supplementation with 1000 IU/d of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum 25(OH)D levels (from 18.85 ± 7.04 to 26.98 ± 5.88 ng/mL, p < 0.05), accompanied by a decrease of PTH (p < 0.05). However, vitamin D3 supplementation did not significantly impact the physical performance, serum lipid parameters, and bone turnover markers of students. Furthermore, 25(OH)D was found to be positively correlated with VJH and negatively correlated with PTH and TC at the beginning and end of the study (p < 0.05). In addition, the multiple linear regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D combined with athletic, gender, height, weight, Hb, and FVC could account for 84.0% of the VO2max value.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that one-month of 1000 IU/d of vitamin D3 supplementation during the winter had beneficial effects on 25(OH)D status and PTH. However, vitamin D3 intervention was not sufficient to improve physical performance. Furthermore, 25(OH)D levels combined with athletic, Hb and FVC could be a predictor of VO2max.

Fortified synbiotic dessert for improving malnutrition in hemodialysis patients: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

As dysbiosis of gut microbiota is recognized as a major risk factor for malnutrition in hemodialysis (HD) patients, we aimed to assess the effects of fortified synbiotic dessert on malnutrition, oxidative stress, inflammation, and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 50 hemodialysis patients were randomized into two groups of intervention and control to consume either 50 g of synbiotic dessert fortified with vitamin D (1000 IU) and calcium (500 mg) (FSD) or 50 g of control dessert (CD) for 8 weeks, respectively. Changes in nutritional status [Subjective Global Assessment (SGA)], anthropometric measures, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, biochemistry [serum albumin, vitamin D, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), complete blood count (CBC), and electrolytes], and quality of life were assessed before and at the end of the trial. The SGA scores and serum ferritin levels decreased significantly in the FSD group compared to the control group (p = .01 and p = .03, respectively). Regarding other markers, no statistically significant changes were found comparing the two groups. This novel fortified synbiotic dessert as a functional food may be effective in reducing the severity of malnutrition by improving SGA score in short term in hemodialysis patients. Thus, it is suggested to do further studies to elucidate the possible mechanisms related to the effects of this dessert on microbiota, skeletal muscle mass, and inflammation in HD in long term.

Nutritional strategies to optimise musculoskeletal health for fall and fracture prevention: Looking beyond calcium, vitamin D and protein

Falls and osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem, particularly among older adults. A third of individuals aged 65 years and over fall at least once each year, with up to 20 % of these resulting in serious injury, including fracture. In conjunction with regular exercise, the importance of diet for musculoskeletal health has largely focused upon calcium, vitamin D, and protein, particularly in the context of preventing falls and fractures. Whilst there is evidence for the benefits of these nutrients for musculoskeletal health, other aspects of the diet remain largely underexplored. For example, vegetables are rich sources of macro- and micronutrients that are essential for muscle function and bone health, which are key factors in the prevention of falls and fractures. Recent work has highlighted the importance of nutrients such as vegetable-derived nitrate and vitamin K1 in optimising muscle strength, physical function, and bone quality. In the context of dietary patterns, vegan/plant-based diets have recently gained popularity due to perceived health benefits, animal welfare, or to tackle climate change. The elimination and/or substitution of animal-based products for plant foods (without careful planning and/or expert dietary guidance) could, however, have long-term negative musculoskeletal consequences; a trend uncovered by recent evidence. Within the overarching theme of nutrition for fall and fracture prevention in older populations, the aim of this review is to (i) summarise the current evidence for calcium, vitamin D and protein; (ii) describe the importance of vegetables and selected nutrients, such as nitrate and vitamin K1, for muscle function and bone structural integrity; and (iii) highlight current evidence around different dietary patterns (e.g., plant-based, diet quality, data driven approaches) and their impact on musculoskeletal health.

Pathophysiology of sarcopenia: Genetic factors and their interplay with environmental factors

Sarcopenia is a geriatric disorder characterized by a progressive decline in muscle mass and function. This disorder has been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including fractures, functional deterioration, and increased mortality. The pathophysiology of sarcopenia is highly complex and multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors as key contributors. This review consolidates current knowledge on the genetic factors influencing the pathogenesis of sarcopenia, particularly focusing on the altered gene expression of structural and metabolic proteins, growth factors, hormones, and inflammatory cytokines. While the influence of environmental factors such as physical inactivity, chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep disturbances on sarcopenia is relatively well understood, there is a dearth of studies examining their mechanistic roles. Therefore, this review emphasizes the interplay between genetic and environmental factors, elucidating their cumulative role in exacerbating the progression of sarcopenia beyond their individual effects. The unique contribution of this review lies in synthesizing the latest evidence on the genetic factors and their interaction with environmental factors, aiming to inform the development of novel therapeutic or preventive interventions for sarcopenia.

Zebrafish as an Emerging Model for Sarcopenia: Considerations, Current Insights, and Future Directions

Sarcopenia poses a significant challenge to public health and can severely impact the quality of life of aging populations. Despite extensive efforts to study muscle degeneration using traditional animal models, there is still a lack of effective diagnostic tools, precise biomarkers, and treatments for sarcopenia. Zebrafish models have emerged as powerful tools in biomedical research, providing unique insights into age-related muscle disorders like sarcopenia. The advantages of using zebrafish models include their rapid growth outside of the embryo, optical transparency during early developmental stages, high reproductive potential, ease of husbandry, compact size, and genetic tractability. By deepening our understanding of the molecular processes underlying sarcopenia, we may develop novel diagnostic tools and effective treatments that can improve the lives of aging individuals affected by this condition. This review aims to explore the unique advantages of zebrafish as a model for sarcopenia research, highlight recent breakthroughs, outline potential avenues for future investigations, and emphasize the distinctive contributions that zebrafish models offer. Our research endeavors to contribute significantly to address the urgent need for practical solutions to reduce the impact of sarcopenia on aging populations, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

Vitamin D3 Exerts Beneficial Effects on C2C12 Myotubes through Activation of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)/Sirtuins (SIRT)1/3 Axis

The onset of sarcopenia is associated with a decline in vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression, wherein reduced VDR levels contribute to muscle atrophy, while heightened expression promotes muscle hypertrophy. Like VDR, the age-related decline in protein deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT) expression is linked to the development of sarcopenia and age-related muscle dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate whether the VDR agonist 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3) exerts beneficial effects on muscles through interactions with sirtuins and, if so, the underlying molecular mechanisms. Treatment of 1,25VD3 in differentiating C2C12 myotubes substantially elevated VDR, SIRT1, and SIRT3 expression, enhancing their differentiation. Furthermore, 1,25VD3 significantly enhanced the expression of key myogenic markers, including myosin heavy chain (MyHC) proteins, MyoD, and MyoG, and increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and AKT. Conversely, VDR knockdown resulted in myotube atrophy and reduced SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels. In a muscle-wasting model triggered by IFN-γ/TNF-α in C2C12 myotubes, diminished VDR, SIRT1, and SIRT3 levels led to skeletal muscle atrophy and apoptosis. 1,25VD3 downregulated the increased expression of muscle atrophy-associated proteins, including FoxO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1 in an IFN-γ/TNF-α induced atrophy model. Importantly, IFN-γ/TNF-α significantly reduced the mtDNA copy number in the C2C12 myotube, whereas the presence of 1,25VD3 effectively prevented this decrease. These results support that 1,25VD3 could serve as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent against age-related muscle atrophy by enhancing the VDR/SIRT1/SIRT3 axis.

The association of vitamin D with bone microarchitecture, muscle strength, and mobility performance in older women in long-term care

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are prevalent in older adults. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a novel method to evaluate bone microarchitecture, whereas grip strength and gait speed are simple methods to assess muscle strength and function. Few studies have linked the relationship between vitamin D levels (25OHD) with TBS, grip strength, and gait speed in healthy community dwelling adults. We sought to investigate this relationship in older women with osteoporosis and multiple comorbid conditions residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline 25OHD, spine TBS, grip strength, and gait speed in 246 women with osteoporosis who were residents of LTC and enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

RESULTS

On average, participants were 81.6 years old and had a BMI of 26.8 kg/m2. The correlation (r) of 25OHD with spine TBS, grip strength, and gait speed were (r = 0.15; p = 0.0208), (r = - 0.05; p = 0.4686), and (r = 0.19; p = 0.0041), respectively. Each 5 ng/dl increase in 25OHD was associated with an increase of 0.006 in spine TBS and 0.014 m/s in gait speed. After adjusting for covariates, each 5 ng/dl increase in 25OHD was associated with an increase of 0.004 in spine TBS (p = 0.0599) and 0.012 m/s in gait speed (p = 0.0144).

CONCLUSION

In older women residing in LTC facilities, 25OHD was associated with spine TBS and gait speed. The strengths of the associations suggest there may be other factors with a more prominent role in bone microarchitecture, muscle strength, and physical function in this population.

MINI ABSTRACT

Our study found in older women who are residents of long-term care facilities, vitamin D level is associated with bone microarchitecture and mobility performance.

Vitamin D status and clinical implications in the adult population of Malaysia: a position paper by the Malaysian Vitamin D Special Interest Group

PURPOSE

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common among populations globally, and in Asia and Malaysia. The purpose of this Position Paper is to propose recommendations for both clinicians and non-clinicians to promote vitamin D sufficiency in Malaysian adults. Formation of a national multisector, multidisciplinary alliance is also proposed to progress initiatives relating to safe sun exposure, adequate vitamin D intake through food fortification, and vitamin D supplementation for high-risk groups.

METHODS

Literature reviews were undertaken to inform summaries of the following: vitamin D status globally and in Asian and Malaysian populations, vitamin D status among individuals with common medical conditions, and current recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency through sun exposure, food intake and supplementation. Recommendations were based on the findings of the literature reviews, recent European guidance on vitamin D supplementation, the 2018 road map for action on vitamin D in low- and middle-income countries, and research recommendations proposed by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2017.

RESULTS

Recommendations on assessment of vitamin D in the adult Malaysian population include using serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration as a biomarker, widespread participation by Malaysian laboratories in the Vitamin D Standardization Program, adoption of the US Endocrine Society definitions of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and development of a comprehensive nationwide vitamin D status study. Specific high-risk groups are identified for vitamin D assessment and recommendations relating to loading doses and ongoing management are also made.

CONCLUSION

This Position Paper provides individual clinicians and national stakeholder organisations with clear recommendations to achieve vitamin D sufficiency in the adult population of Malaysia.

Current Research on Vitamin D Supplementation against Sarcopenia: A Review of Clinical Trials

Vitamin D plays an important role in skeletal muscle function and metabolism. The aim of this review was A) to discuss the clinical evidence of vitamin D supplementation either alone or combined with other strategies in the prevention of sarcopenia in non-sarcopenic individuals and B) to critically discuss the clinical evidence on the effect of vitamin D combined with other strategies on muscle strength, mass and function in sarcopenic individuals without vitamin D deficiency. Sparse clinical data on non-sarcopenic individuals indicate that vitamin D alone has a subtle beneficial effect on knee extensor strength at doses 880-1600 IU/day without improving handgrip strength or muscle mass. When co-administered with other supplements such as protein, mixed effects appear to prevent the decline of muscle mass, possibly delaying the onset of sarcopenia in non-sarcopenic individuals, at doses of 800-1,000 IU/day over 6-12 weeks. In sarcopenic individuals, vitamin D 100-1,000 IU/day co-supplementation with protein results in increased handgrip strength between 9.8-40.5%. However, there is no strong clinical evidence that vitamin D dosage correlates with changes in muscle strength or mass. Potential sources of discrepancy among studies are discussed. Future studies with appropriate experimental design are essential to dissect the net effect of vitamin D on sarcopenia.

The longitudinal association between indoor air pollution and sarcopenia in China: the mediating role of depression

Several studies showed that indoor air pollution may pose significant risks to public health, causing illnesses such as pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders. It is known very little of the association between air pollution and sarcopenia in older Chinese adults. We conducted a cohort study to examine the detrimental health effects of indoor solid fuel use for heating and cooking on sarcopenia and further explore the mediating role of depression and C-reaction protein (CRP). The sample of the study consists of 2088 participants from the CHARLS 2011-2015. Sarcopenia status was assessed according to the AWGS 2019 criteria. Participants were asked specific questions about the source of their primary heating and cooking fuels, which served as the basis for defining solid fuel use. Multivariate logistic regressions were constructed to explore the relationship between indoor solid fuel use and sarcopenia or possible sarcopenia. Serial mediation analyses were applied to explore the potential mediating role of depression and CRP in the relationship. Among all participants, 224 and 61 had possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia. Compared to individuals who used clean fuel for heating and cooking, participants who utilized indoor solid fuel for heating exhibited a higher risk of possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia, with OR (and 95% CI) of 1.48 (1.04, 2.11) and 8.42 (2.01, 35.32). The risk of possible sarcopenia demonstrates a gradual increase in correlation with the duration of solid fuel usage for heating (P for trend <0.01). Approximately 16.27% of the relationship between indoor solid fuel use and possible sarcopenia is mediated by depression. Our stratified analysis indicates that participants residing in a city/town are associated with higher odds of possible sarcopenia. Additionally, our sensitivity analysis demonstrates that our estimates are generally robust and consistent. Indoor heating using solid fuels is associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia, while prolonged exposure to household air pollution is found to be positively correlated with this increased risk. Furthermore, depression plays a mediating role in this relationship.

Depression and risk of sarcopenia: a national cohort and Mendelian randomization study

Background

Depression and the increased risk of sarcopenia are prevalent among the elderly population. However, the causal associations between these factors remain unclear. To investigate the potential association between depression and the risk of sarcopenia in older adults, this study was performed.

Methods

In the baseline survey, a total of 14,258 individuals aged 40 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2015) participated. We initially described the baseline prevalence of the disease. Then, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were conducted to assess the relationship between depression and sarcopenia. Subgroup analysis was performed to validate the robustness of the findings. Additionally, we conducted Mendelian randomization analysis using the inverse variance weighting estimator to assess the causal relationship between depression and sarcopenia. Furthermore, we adopted six methods, including MR-Egger, simple median, weighted median, maximum likelihood, robust adjusted profile score (RAPS), and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), for sensitivity analyses.

Results

Depression patients exhibited higher risks of sarcopenia in all five models adjusting for different covariates (P < 0.05). The RCS analysis demonstrated a linear relationship between depression and sarcopenia (P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, increased risk was observed among participants aged 60-70, married or cohabiting individuals, non-smokers, non-drinkers, those with less than 8 h of sleep, BMI below 24, and individuals with hypertension (all P < 0.05). Mendelian randomization results revealed that genetically proxied depression led to a reduction in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study provides observational and causal evidences that depression can lead to sarcopenia. This finding emphasizes the importance of timely identification and management of depression, as well as implementing targeted educational programs as part of comprehensive strategies to prevent sarcopenia.

Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] Levels as a Predictor of Depressive Symptoms: Evidence from Community-Dwelling Older Adults Population in Mexico City

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and depressive symptoms in Mexican older adults 70 years and older.

METHODS

A total of 326 adults aged 70 or older from Coyoacán Cohort Study were included in this study. The depressive symptoms were assessing by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Overall, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 36.5%. The mean age was 79 years, and 53.4% were women. The total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were lower in older adults with depressive symptoms when compared with older adults without depressive symptoms (p = .006). Logistic regression models showed a significant association between low serum 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms even after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 2.453; 95% CI:1.218-4.939; p = .012). In addition, linear regression model to predict the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels on the CES-D score as a continuous variable, was statistically significant [F(1,324) = 8.54, p = .004], and the R-squared value was .026, indicating that this regression model explains 2.6% of the change in the CES-D score.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that older Mexican adults with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are at higher risk of presenting depressive symptoms.

Serum Vitamin D3 Concentration, Sleep, and Cognitive Impairment among Older Adults in China

BACKGROUND

Cognitive decline in older adults has become one of the critical challenges to global health. This study aims to examine both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) (briefed as VD3) concentration and sleep quality/duration, especially their interactions, with risk of cognitive impairment among older adults in China.

METHODS

We utilized a special subsample of adults aged 65-105 years (individuals = 3412, observations = 4816) from eight provinces in China derived from the 2011/2012 and 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Cognitive impairment was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination scale. Sleep quality was classified as good versus fair/poor, and sleep duration was classified into short (<7 h), normal (≥7 but <9 h), and long (≥9 h). The VD3 concentration was divided into three levels: deficiency (VD3 < 25 nmol/L), insufficiency (25 nmol/L ≤ VD3 < 50 nmol/L), and sufficiency (VD3 ≥ 50 nmol/L). A wide set of covariates that include demographics, socioeconomic status, family support, health practice, and health conditions was adjusted for robust findings. Multilevel random intercept logit regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional associations between VD3, sleep, and cognitive impairment, whereas logit regression models were applied to investigate the longitudinal associations.

RESULTS

In the cross-sectional analyses, when all covariates were adjusted, VD3 sufficiency was significantly associated with a 33% lower risk of cognitive impairment compared with VD3 deficiency; good sleep quality was associated with 34% lower odds of cognitive impairment compared with fair/poor sleep quality; sleep hours were not associated with cognitive impairment, although a long sleep duration (≥9 h) was associated with 30% higher odds of being cognitively impaired when baseline health was not controlled. Interaction analyses reveal that VD3 sufficiency could help to additionally reduce the risk of cognitive impairment for good sleep quality and normal sleep hours. In the longitudinal analyses, the association of VD3 sufficiency remains significant, whereas sleep quality and sleep duration were not significant associates.

CONCLUSIONS

Good sleep quality, normal sleep hours, and VD3 sufficiency are positively associated with good cognitive function. VD3 sufficiency could enhance the associations between sleep and cognitive impairment.

Implementation and Core Components of a Multimodal Program including Exercise and Nutrition in Prevention and Treatment of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Narrative Review

Increasing disability-free life expectancy is a crucial issue to optimize active ageing and to reduce the burden of evitable medical costs. One of the main challenges is to develop pragmatic and personalized prevention strategies in order to prevent frailty, counteract adverse outcomes such as falls and mobility disability, and to improve quality of life. Strong evidence reports the effectiveness of exercise interventions to improve various physical parameters and muscle function that are cornerstones of frailty. Other findings also suggest that the interactions between nutrition and physical exercise with or without health behavior promotion prevent the development of frailty. Multimodal programs, including structured exercise, adequate dietary intervention and health behavior promotion, appear increasingly consensual. However, in order for implementation in real-life settings, some pitfalls need to be addressed. In this perspective, structuring and tailoring feasible, acceptable and sustainable interventions to optimize exercise training responses are essential conditions to warrant short, medium and long-term individual benefits. The different components of exercise programs appear to be fairly consensual and effective. However, specific composition of the programs proposed (frequency, intensity, type, time, volume and progressiveness) have to be tailored to individual characteristics and objectives in order to improve exercise responses. The intervention approaches, behavioral strategies and indications for these programs also need to be refined and framed. The main objective of this work is to guide the actions of healthcare professionals and enable them to widely and effectively implement multimodal programs including exercise, nutrition and behavioral strategies in real-life settings.

Serum vitamin D levels and mortality in Mexicans: results from the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Introduction

Background: the population in Latin America is aging and elders face several obstacles for good health, including an elevated frequency of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, identification of patients at high risk to develop its negative consequences should be a priority. Objective: the objective of this analysis was to determine if levels of vitamin D lower than 15 ng/ml are associated with high mortality in Mexican elderly population, from the database of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Methods: prospective, population study in Mexico, that included Subjects of 50 years and older who were evaluated for Serum vitamin D levels during the year 2012 (third wave of the study). Serum 25(OH)D levels were categorized into four groups, based on cutoff points used in previous studies on vitamin D and frailty: < 15, 15-< 20, 20-< 30 and ≥ 30 ng/ml. Mortality was evaluated during 2015 (fourth wave of the study). Hazard ratio was calculated (for mortality) through Cox Regression Model, adjusted for covariates. Results: we included 1626 participants, and those with lower levels of vitamin D were older, more often women, required more aid for activities of daily living, reported higher number of chronic diseases, and lower scores on cognition. The relative risk of death was 5.421 (95 % CI 2.465-11.92, p < 0.001) for the participants with vitamin D levels < 15, which after adjusting for covariates, remained statistically significant. Conclusions: levels of vitamin D lower of 15, are associated with an increase in the rate of mortality in community-dwelling senior Mexicans.

U-Shaped Association of Standardized Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Risk of Low Muscle Mass: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background

In the United States (U.S.) general population, the association between standardized serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and risk of low muscle mass (LMM) remains unclear. Our research aimed to determine whether or not there was a relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and risk of LMM.

Methods

We analyzed the cross-sectional data of the US population that participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2014. The relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and LMM risk was evaluated using restricted cubic spline (RCS) with multivariate logistic regression model and subgroup analysis.

Results

In all, we included 10,256 people in our analysis. The RCS plot demonstrated a U-shaped relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and risk of LMM (P for nonlinearity <0.05). At a Vitamin D concentration of 38.5 nmol/L, LMM risk was at its lowest. Based on analyses stratified by age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM), serum 25(OH)D concentration and risk of LMM were U-curve correlated for those age 40 or older, male, with hypertension, or without DM. However, LMM risk was positively related to serum 25(OH)D concentration in those younger than age 40 or in women.

Conclusion

There is a U-shaped relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and the risk of LMM in the general U.S. population. Careful monitoring and appropriate Vitamin D supplementation might lessen the risk of LMM.

Hormones and Aging: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement

Multiple changes occur across various endocrine systems as an individual ages. The understanding of the factors that cause age-related changes and how they should be managed clinically is evolving. This statement reviews the current state of research in the growth hormone, adrenal, ovarian, testicular, and thyroid axes, as well as in osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency, type 2 diabetes, and water metabolism, with a specific focus on older individuals. Each section describes the natural history and observational data in older individuals, available therapies, clinical trial data on efficacy and safety in older individuals, key points, and scientific gaps. The goal of this statement is to inform future research that refines prevention and treatment strategies in age-associated endocrine conditions, with the goal of improving the health of older individuals.

Relationship of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels With Sarcopenia and Body Composition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Paired Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

Sarcopenia is a leading health problem among older adults. However, few studies have explored the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, sarcopenia, and body composition in older Chinese individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels with sarcopenia, sarcopenia indices, and body composition in community-dwelling older Chinese adults.

DESIGN

Paired case-control study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This case-control study enrolled 66 older adults newly diagnosed with sarcopenia (sarcopenia group) and 66 older adults without sarcopenia (non-sarcopenia group) after screening in the community.

METHODS

The definition of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Spearman's correlation was used to examine the correlations among sarcopenia indices, body composition, and serum 25(OH)D.

RESULTS

Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (29.08 ± 15.11 ng/mL) than in the non-sarcopenia group (36.28 ± 14.68 ng/mL) (P < .05). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia (OR, 7.749; 95% CI, 1.955-30.714). Serum 25(OH)D levels in men were positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (r = 0.450; P < .001) and negatively correlated with gait speed (r = -0.282; P = .032). Serum 25(OH)D levels in women were positively correlated with SMI (r = 0.286; P < .001), skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.395; P < .001), and fat-free mass (r = 0.412; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in older adults with sarcopenia than those in adults without sarcopenia. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of sarcopenia, and serum 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with SMI.

The Impact of Complex Rehabilitation Treatment on Sarcopenia-Pathology with an Endocrine Morphological Substrate and Musculoskeletal Implications

The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is multifactorial, including changes in the endocrine system. Easy-to-perform screening tests can guide the diagnosis of sarcopenia and the rehabilitation therapeutic conduct, which can act on many physiopathological links. This study was conducted over a period of 5 months, from April to August 2022, and included 84 patients hospitalized for a period of 10 days in the Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium Techirghiol for complex physiotherapy, which included balneotherapy. In dynamics, both at admission and discharge, specific screening tests for sarcopenia (SARC-F questionnaire, grip strength, testing muscle strength at the level of the quadriceps, sit-to-stand tests (the time required for five consecutive rises and the number of rises performed in 30 s)) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain were performed. The study was conducted according to the norms of deontology and medical ethics. Results: A significant proportion of patients had a positive result in at least one of the tests for the screening of sarcopenia syndrome. The most eloquent results were obtained from the statistical analysis of the following parameters evaluated at admission: the SARC-F questionnaire and the sit-to-stand test-the number of rises in 30 s. In terms of dynamics, after performing the complex rehabilitation treatment, the patients recorded improvements in the established screening tests and improvements in pain symptoms evaluated with the help of the VAS. Conclusions: Sarcopenia, a pathology developed with aging, is frequently encountered among adults. In the future, it is important to perform screening for sarcopenia in both endocrinology and medical rehabilitation clinics. Good management of sarcopenia can influence therapeutic conduct and can prevent complications, improving the functional capacity and the quality of life of the patients.

Prognostic significance of osteosarcopenia in older adults with colorectal cancer

Aim

Osteopenia and sarcopenia, features of the aging process, are recognized as major health problems in an aging society. This study investigated the prognostic impact of osteosarcopenia, the coexistence of osteopenia and sarcopenia, in older adults undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data of older adults aged 65-98 y who had undergone curative resection for colorectal cancer. Osteopenia was evaluated by bone mineral density measurement in the midvertebral core of the 11th thoracic vertebra on preoperative computed tomography images. Sarcopenia was evaluated by measuring the skeletal muscle cross-sectional area at the third lumbar vertebra level. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the coexistence of osteopenia and sarcopenia. We explored the relationship of preoperative osteosarcopenia with the disease-free and overall survival after curative resection.

Results

Among the 325 patients included, those with osteosarcopenia had significantly lower overall survival rates than those with osteopenia or sarcopenia alone (P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, male sex (P = 0.045), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (P < 0.01), osteosarcopenia (P < 0.01), pathological T4 stage (P = 0.023), and pathological N1/N2 stage (P < 0.01) were independent predictors of disease-free survival, while age (P < 0.01), male sex (P = 0.049), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (P < 0.01), osteosarcopenia (P < 0.01), pathological T4 stage (P = 0.036), pathological N1/N2 stage (P < 0.01), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (P = 0.041) were independent predictors of overall survival.

Conclusion

Osteosarcopenia was a strong predictor of poor outcomes in older adults undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer, suggesting an important role of osteosarcopenia in an aging society.

A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Managing Sarcopenia in Older Adults with Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

This narrative review examines the mechanisms underlying the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic diseases (MDs), along with their association with sarcopenia. Furthermore, non-pharmacological interventions to address sarcopenia in patients with these conditions are suggested. The significance of combined training in managing metabolic disease and secondary sarcopenia in type II diabetes mellitus is emphasized. Additionally, the potential benefits of resistance and aerobic training are explored. This review emphasises the role of nutrition in addressing sarcopenia in patients with CVD or MDs, focusing on strategies such as optimising protein intake, promoting plant-based protein sources, incorporating antioxidant-rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids and ensuring sufficient vitamin D levels. Moreover, the potential benefits of targeting gut microbiota through probiotics and prebiotic fibres in sarcopenic individuals are considered. Multidisciplinary approaches that integrate behavioural science are explored to enhance the uptake and sustainability of behaviour-based sarcopenia interventions. Future research should prioritise high-quality randomized controlled trials to refine exercise and nutritional interventions and investigate the incorporation of behavioural science into routine practices. Ultimately, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is essential to improve health outcomes, well-being and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia and coexisting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.