Interaction Between Vitamin D and Interleukin 6 on Slow Gait Speed: 6-Year Follow-up Data of Older Adults From InCHIANTI

Abstract

Background Whereas the independent effects of biomarkers, including 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), insulin-like growth factor 1, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 (IL-6), on gait speed in older adults have been evaluated, their joint effects on gait speed are not well understood. Methods Study subjects aged at least 65 at baseline (N = 970) were enrolled in the population-based Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) study from 1998 to 2000 and were followed up at 3 and 6 years. All above biomarkers and gait speed data were measured at each of the three time points. Using a generalized estimating equation approach, we determined if slow gait speed (<0.8 m/s) was associated with the biomarkers. Further investigation was conducted for interactions between high IL-6 (≥.87 pg/mL) and other biomarkers focusing on low 25(OH)D (<20 ng/mL). Results After controlling for other biomarkers and potential confounders, IL-6 emerged as the only biomarker independently associated with gait speed. The association between high IL-6 and slow gait speed was enhanced by low 25(OH)D, with significant interaction between high IL-6 and low 25(OH)D (p = .038). The odds ratio of slow gait speed for low 25(OH)D and high IL-6 was 1.63 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 2.32) compared with the reference groups with both biomarker levels at the other ends. Conclusion The association of low vitamin D with slow gait speed statistically interacts with high IL-6. Coexisting vitamin D insufficiency and inflammation may provide a better biomarker for identifying those at risk of developing impairments in gait speed than either factor alone.

The Relationships of Fibrinogen and C-Reactive Protein With Gait Performance: A 20-Year Longitudinal Study

“…Among the few studies that explored this link, findings are mixed. For example, our findings are in line with a study that demonstrated negative associations of CRP and fibrinogen with gait speed in middle-aged women under ST conditions over a 5-year period ( Tomey et al, 2009 ), and with other longitudinal studies, with follow-up of two ( Verghese et al, 2011 ) and 6 years ( Kositsawat et al, 2013 ) that found that IL-6 was negatively related to physical function ( Verghese et al, 2011 ; Kositsawat et al, 2013 , 2020 ; Brown et al, 2016 ). However, in a study of 977 participants aged 65 and above at baseline, no association was observed between CRP levels and physical function measured after three and 6 years ( Kositsawat et al, 2020 ).…”

“…However, findings from longitudinal studies are somewhat conflicting, with some reporting negative associations between inflammation markers and cognitive function ( Marioni et al, 2009 ; Singh and Newman, 2011 ), but others reporting either none ( Singh and Newman, 2011 ) or limited associations ( Schram et al, 2007 ). As for physical function, the association with inflammation among older adults has been explored ( Cesari et al, 2004 ; Roenneberg et al, 2004 ; Verghese et al, 2011 ; Kuh et al, 2019 ; Kositsawat et al, 2020 ). While most of these studies describe a negative association between inflammation markers and physical function, due to a large heterogeneity between studies (i.e., various inflammation markers and diverse measures of physical performance) generalizability is limited.…”

Vitamin Intake and Loss of Muscle Mass in Older People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study of the KAMOGAWA-DM Cohort

“…An epidemiological study suggested that usage of vitamin D was effective for the prevention of decreased muscle mass [17]. Serum vitamin D level was associated with physical performance and frailty in cross-sectional studies [18,19], and coexisting low serum vitamin D level and high interleukin 6 level were associated with slow gait speed in a cross-sectional study [20]. Vitamin D was reported to suppress muscle atrophy through the suppression of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) in skeletal muscle [16].…”

Role of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

“…Are the cerebrovascular consequences of VDD reversible? Do cerebrovascular and cognitive outcomes correlate in clinical studies investigating the effects of VitD [ 258 , 259 , 260 ]? What is the mechanism underlying the sex-dependence of the cerebrovascular manifestation of VDD?…”