Dietary Fat and Fatty Acid Profile Are Associated with Indices of Skeletal Muscle Mass in Women Aged 18–79 Years

Abstract

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass results in a reduction in metabolically active tissue and has been related to the onset of obesity and sarcopenia. Although the causes of muscle loss are poorly understood, dietary fat has been postulated to have a role in determining protein turnover through an influence on both inflammation and insulin resistance. This study was designed to investigate the cross-sectional relation between dietary fat intake, as dietary percentage of fat energy (PFE) and fatty acid profile, with indices of skeletal muscle mass in the population setting. Body composition [fat-free mass (FFM; in kg)] and the fat-free mass index (FFMI; kg FFM/m(2)) was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2689 women aged 18-79 y from the TwinsUK Study and calculated according to quintile of dietary fat (by food-frequency questionnaire) after multivariate adjustment. Positive associations were found between the polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio and indices of FFM, and inverse associations were found with PFE, SFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and trans fatty acids (TFAs) (all as % of energy). Extreme quintile dietary differences for PFE were -0.6 kg for FFM and -0.28 kg/m(2) for FFMI; for SFAs, MUFAs, and TFAs, these were -0.5 to -0.8 kg for FFM and -0.26 to -0.38 kg/m(2) for FFMI. These associations were of a similar magnitude to the expected decline in muscle mass that occurs over 10 y. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to demonstrate an association between a comprehensive range of dietary fat intake and FFM. These findings indicate that a dietary fat profile already associated with cardiovascular disease protection may also be beneficial for conservation of skeletal muscle mass.

Regulation of Satellite Cell Function in Sarcopenia

“…While the mechanisms responsible for sarcopenia are not well understood, there are likely several factors that contribute to muscle loss in aging. These include but may not be limited to: reduced protein synthesis (Dickinson et al, 2013; Churchward-Venne et al, 2014), declines in neural function (Drey et al, 2013; Kwan, 2013; Mosole et al, 2014), hormonal deficits (Michalakis et al, 2013), chronic inflammation (Lee et al, 2007; Degens, 2010; Mavros et al, 2014), oxidative stress (Hiona and Leeuwenburgh, 2008; Jackson et al, 2010; Armand et al, 2011; Marzetti et al, 2013; Sullivan-Gunn and Lewandowski, 2013), loss of mitochondrial function (Chabi et al, 2008; Ljubicic et al, 2009; Calvani et al, 2013; Marzetti et al, 2013), inappropriate signaling in muscle due at least in part to inadequate nutrition (Burgos, 2012; Ghosh et al, 2014; Welch, 2014; Welch et al, 2014), nuclear apoptosis (Sjostrom et al, 1992; Alway et al, 2002, 2011; Leeuwenburgh, 2003; Dupont-Versteegden, 2005; Alway and Siu, 2008; Chabi et al, 2008), and reduced satellite cell function (Conboy and Rando, 2005; Snijders et al, 2009; Barberi et al, 2013). This review will focus on the potential impact that mediation of satellite cell function has in aging skeletal muscle.…”

MicroRNA-434-3p regulates age-related apoptosis through eIF5A1 in the skeletal muscle

“…Sarcopenia also reduces the amount of metabolically active tissue; thus, it increases the risk for metabolic diseases [3]. Initiation of sarcopenia involves complex processes that are controlled by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors [3, 4], many of which converge on a decline in the ability of muscle stem cells (satellite cells) to replace unhealthy muscle fibers during aging [5-7].…”

Fish Oil Supplementation Enhances Pulmonary Strength and Endurance in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy

“…For example, in a study of 40 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, approximately 69% of the patients supplemented daily with 2.2 g of FO for 30 days gained or maintained skeletal muscle mass, whereas only 29% of patients without supplementation maintained muscle mass (11). In addition, strength gain was observed in elderly women after strength training, but a higher gain was seen when they included supplementation with FO (28,29). Another positive result of FO supplementation was seen in t-6MWT, where at 60 days the S group performed better in this test than the C group.…”