Skeletal muscle myostatin gene expression and sarcopenia in overweight and obese middle‐aged and older adults

Abstract

BackgroundMyostatin (MSTN) is a key negative regulator of muscle mass in humans and animals, having direct and indirect influences on molecular regulators of atrophy and hypertrophy, thus potentially impacting fitness and physical function. We have shown that myostatin is elevated in conditions of chronic disability (e.g. paretic limb of stroke). Our hypothesis is that myostatin would be elevated in older adults with sarcopenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of skeletal muscle myostatin in sarcopenia.MethodsSixty‐four overweight to obese aged 45–81 years underwent a maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) test, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to determine appendicular lean tissue (ALM), and vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to determine myostatin mRNA expression by quantitative real time PCR (Q‐RT‐PCR). Rates of sarcopenia were determined using (ALM/BMI), and sarcopenia was defined as <0.789 in men and <0.512 in women. Subjects had low fitness (VO2max: 22.7 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min) and on average 40.9 ± 1% body fat.ResultsThe prevalence of sarcopenia in this cohort was 16%. BMI, % body fat, and fat mass were higher in adults with sarcopenia than those without sarcopenia (all P < 0.001). Myostatin mRNA expression was lower in those without sarcopenia than those with sarcopenia (P < 0.05) and higher in men than women (P < 0.001). Myostatin expression was associated with BMI (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) and mid‐thigh intramuscular fat (r = 0.29, P < 0.05).ConclusionGiven that myostatin is important in muscle atrophy, fat accumulation, and sarcopenia, further work could address its implication in other aging cohorts of disability and chronic disease.

Characterizing sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in patients aged 65 years and over, at risk of mobility disability: an observational trial (SARA-OBS)

“…The identi cation of speci c biomarkers allowing the early identi cation of Sarcopenia and the monitoring of this pathology overtime is still needed. Myostatin has been associated with reduction in muscle mass and its mRNA expression was shown to be higher in sarcopenic population and associated with BMI [52]. In SARA-OBS study, patients with a "high" level of myostatin (based on median level at baseline) had a statistically signi cant reduction in the GS/400MWT change from baseline to Month 6/EOS of -0.05±0.208 m/s (p=0.044) unlike the group with a "low" level of myostatin (-0.005±0.12 m/s; p=0.732).…”

Myostatin and Activin A as Biomarkers of Sarcopenia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

“…The relationship between MSTN and the occurrence of sarcopenia has also been studied in older age groups [ 10 , 56 , 57 ]. Ryan et al assessed the serum MSTN level and its possible relationship with sarcopenia among overweight and obese elderly subjects.…”

“…IBD has an unpredictable clinical course in which periods of remission alternate with acute exacerbations of symptoms [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Patients with IBD suffer from malnutrition, the prevalence of which is estimated at 20–85%, and the causes include insufficient energy intake for fear of exacerbation of symptoms, malabsorption, and chronic inflammation [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The prevalence of sarcopenia in these patients has received increasing attention.…”

Role of Hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein in the Prevention of Aging and Related Disorders: Focus on Neurodegeneration, Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction and Gut Microbiota

“…A recent study analyzed the effects of treatment with an olive leaf extract on aging-related sarcopenia and skeletal muscle insulin resistance [ 291 ]. Sarcopenia is known to be associated with: (i) increased expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases Muscle Ring-finger protein-1 (MURF1) and Atrogin-1, which play a major role in the process of age-induced muscle loss [ 292 ]; (ii) increased expression of myostatin, a secreted myokine that inhibits skeletal muscle growth and negatively impacts muscle metabolism [ 293 , 294 ]; (iii) upregulation of histone deacetylase-4 (HDAC4), a deacetylase that promotes muscle atrophy in response to multiple stimuli by targeting several substrates, including myosin heavy chains (MyHC) and the transcriptional regulator PGC1α [ 295 ]; (iv) upregulation of the myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and myogenin, possibly as a compensatory mechanism [ 296 ]. A 21-day treatment of old rats with an olive leaf extract was shown to attenuate the age-induced atrophy of gastrocnemius muscle and the alterations in the mRNA expression of many of the above- mentioned markers of sarcopenia.…”