Relationship of muscle function to circulating myostatin, follistatin and GDF11 in older women and men

Abstract

BackgroundMyostatin, its inhibitor follistatin, and growth/differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) have been proposed as factors that could potentially modify biological aging. The study aimed to test whether there is a relationship between these plasma circulating proteins and muscle strength, power and optimal shortening velocity (υopt) of older adults.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 56 women and 45 men aged 60 years and older. Every participant underwent examination which included anthropometric and bioimpedance analysis measurements, functional and cognitive performance tests, muscle strength of upper and lower extremities, muscle power testing with two different methods and blood analyses.ResultsWomen had higher plasma levels of myostatin and GDF11 than men. Men had higher plasma level of follistatin than women. In women, plasma level of myostatin was negatively correlated with left handgrip strength and υopt. Follistatin was negatively correlated with maximum power output (Pmax), power relative to kg of body mass (Pmax∙kg− 1) (friction-loaded cycle ergometer) and power at 70% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) strength value (P70%) of leg press (Keiser pneumatic resistance training equipment), and positively correlated with the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test. GDF11 was negatively correlated with body mass, body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass and the percentage of body fat. In men, there were no significant correlations observed between circulating plasma proteins and muscle function measures.ConclusionsThe circulating plasma myostatin and follistatin are negatively associated with muscle function in older women. There is stronger relationship between these proteins and muscle power than muscle strength. GDF11 has a higher association with the body mass and composition than muscle function in older women.

Calculated body muscle mass as a useful screening marker for low skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia in chronic liver disease

“…We searched for a simple method to evaluate muscle volume and muscle strength in patients with chronic liver disease. CBMMs and SIs have been reported to be muscle volume markers . Cr production is relatively constant when the muscle mass is stable.…”

“…Evaluating body muscle mass by CT, BIA, and dual high‐energy X‐ray (DXA) imaging techniques is difficult to quantify, and requires expensive instrumentation. Circulating myostatin, follistatin, and growth/differentiation factor 11 are reported as markers of muscle mass and function, but they have not been established as sarcopenia biomarkers in clinical practice . Recently, the sarcopenia index (SI): (serum creatinine [Cr] / serum cystatin C [CysC] × 100) was reported as a fair measure of muscle mass estimations among patients admitted to intensive care units, and it could modestly predict the hospitalization duration and 90‐day mortality rates among patients who did not have acute kidney injuries when the measurements were taken .…”

Myostatin as a Biomarker of Muscle Wasting and other Pathologies-State of the Art and Knowledge Gaps

“…It is also crucial to establish the influence of insulin-like growth factor-1, testosterone and peptides such as follistatin–related gene (FLRG) protein, GDF-11 (also known as bone morphogenetic protein 11, BMP-11) and growth and serum protein-1 (GASP-1), on muscle mass, sex and age-related differences in their effects, and their relationship with myostatin before it would be possible to assess the feasibility of the latter as a biomarker. Despite multiple recent investigations, further studies are required to fully understand myostatin modulation mechanisms [ 85 , 88 , 89 , 119 , 120 , 121 ]. In a study by Kalampouka, plasma from older participants was found to reduce myoblast migration and diameter in vitro, in comparison with plasma from younger individuals, despite no difference being detected in plasma myostatin concentration, which demonstrates the importance of other substances and their role in age-related muscle loss [ 122 ].…”

Growth Differentiation Factor-8 (GDF8)/Myostatin Is a Predictor of Troponin I Peak and a Marker of Clinical Severity after Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…In both the "Heart and Soul" and the HUNT3 cohorts, GDF11/8 levels were lower in older participants [15]. In patients aged 60 years and older, a recent study has shown that women had higher GDF8 plasma levels than men and that the circulating plasma GDF8 was negatively associated with muscle function [16].…”