Association between appendicular skeletal muscle index and leukocyte telomere length in adults: A study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002

Abstract

Background: A higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with shorter telomeres. The loss of muscle mass with aging is associated with adverse outcomes. The appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) is currently used to quantify muscle mass. Objective: We investigated the association of the ASMI with leukocyte telomere length in adult Americans. Methods: This cross-sectional study used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999e2002 dataset. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Low muscle mass was defined using sex-specific thresholds of the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI). The telomere-to-single-copy gene ratio (T/S ratio) was converted to base pairs. Generalized linear models were performed to evaluate the association of ASMI with telomere length. Results: In multivariable adjustment regression models, higher ASMI was associated with longer telomeres in US adults (b ¼ 70.2, P < 0.001, P trend<0.001). In participants with preserved muscle mass, the ASMI was related to longer telomere length (b ¼ 75.1, P < 0.001), but not significantly in low muscle mass participants (b ¼ 68.7, P ¼ 0.30). Further subgroup analysis by a combination of age groups and muscle mass status showed positive association with young-preserved muscle mass (b ¼ 82.6, P < 0.001), oldpreserved muscle mass (b ¼ 44.4, P ¼ 0.12), young-low muscle mass (b ¼ 135.4, P ¼ 0.20), and old-low muscle mass (b ¼ 52.7, P ¼ 0.55). Because each additional year of chronological age was associated with telomeres that were 15.3 base pairs shorter, on average, this would equate to 5.4 fewer years of biological aging (82.6 ÷ 15.3) in the young-preserved muscle mass participants. Conclusions: A higher ASMI is associated with longer telomeres. The prevention of skeletal muscle loss has the potential to delay telomere shortening and account for less biological aging.

Effect of Different Exercise Interventions on Grip Strength, Knee Extensor Strength, Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Index, and Skeletal Muscle Index Strength in Patients with Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…This may be due to inadequate nutritional intake and increased protein catabolism, and decreased anabolism in older adults with advancing age [39]. Low ASMI and SMI are considered important indicators of decreased muscle mass [40,41]. While muscle mass loss is a normal physiological phenomenon during aging, changes in muscle fiber structure within the body, improved neuronal activity, and increased muscle strength can be detected through training without changes in muscle mass [42].…”

Association of weight range with telomere length: A retrospective cohort study

“…The details of the telomere length measurement were reported on the official website of NHANES ( 18 , 19 ) and elsewhere previously ( 20 ). The peripheral blood samples were obtained from participants in the NHANES surveys.…”

Associations between albumin, globulin, albumin to globulin ratio and muscle mass in adults: results from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2011–2014

“…The body composition measurements were performed using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exams (Hologic, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts), which provided values for total and regional bone mineral content, fat mass and lean soft tissue mass. ASM was defined as the sum of the lean soft tissue mass of both arms and legs [ 15 ]. BMI was obtained from body measures.…”