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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 9/2019

Open Access 01-09-2019 | Sarcopenia | Musculoskeletal

Gender-specific association of body composition with inflammatory and adipose-related markers in healthy elderly Europeans from the NU-AGE study

Authors: Aurelia Santoro, Giulia Guidarelli, Rita Ostan, Enrico Giampieri, Cristina Fabbri, Claudia Bertarelli, Claudio Nicoletti, Fawzi Kadi, Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot, Edith Feskens, Agnes Berendsen, Anna Brzozowska, Olga Januszko, Katarzyna Kozlowska, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Amy Jennings, Nathalie Meunier, Elodie Caumon, Alessandro Napoli, Daniele Mercatelli, Giuseppe Battista, Miriam Capri, Claudio Franceschi, Alberto Bazzocchi

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this work was to examine the cross-sectional relationship between body composition (BC) markers for adipose and lean tissue and bone mass, and a wide range of specific inflammatory and adipose-related markers in healthy elderly Europeans.

Methods

A whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was made in 1121 healthy (65–79 years) women and men from five European countries of the “New dietary strategies addressing the specific needs of elderly population for a healthy aging in Europe” project (NCT01754012) cohort to measure markers of adipose and lean tissue and bone mass. Pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IL-6Rα, TNF-α, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, pentraxin 3, CRP, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, albumin) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β1) molecules as well as adipose-related markers such as leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and resistin were measured by magnetic bead-based multiplex-specific immunoassays and biochemical assays.

Results

BC characteristics were different in elderly women and men, and more favorable BC markers were associated with a better adipose-related inflammatory profile, with the exception of skeletal muscle mass index. No correlation was found with the body composition markers and circulating levels of some standard pro- and anti-inflammatory markers like IL-6, pentraxin 3, IL-10, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6Rα, glycoprotein 130, TNF-α-R1, and TNF-α-R2.

Conclusions

The association between BC and inflammatory and adipose-related biomarkers is crucial in decoding aging and pathophysiological processes, such as sarcopenia. DXA can help in understanding how the measurement of fat and muscle is important, making the way from research to clinical practice.

Key Points

• Body composition markers concordantly associated positively or negatively with adipose-related and inflammatory markers, with the exception of skeletal muscle mass index.
• No correlation was found with the body composition markers and circulating levels of some standard pro- and anti-inflammatory markers like IL-6, pentraxin 3, IL-10, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6Rα, gp130, TNF-α-R1, and TNF-α-R2.
• Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) shows a good correlation with inflammatory profile in age-related sarcopenia.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Gender-specific association of body composition with inflammatory and adipose-related markers in healthy elderly Europeans from the NU-AGE study
Authors
Aurelia Santoro
Giulia Guidarelli
Rita Ostan
Enrico Giampieri
Cristina Fabbri
Claudia Bertarelli
Claudio Nicoletti
Fawzi Kadi
Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot
Edith Feskens
Agnes Berendsen
Anna Brzozowska
Olga Januszko
Katarzyna Kozlowska
Susan Fairweather-Tait
Amy Jennings
Nathalie Meunier
Elodie Caumon
Alessandro Napoli
Daniele Mercatelli
Giuseppe Battista
Miriam Capri
Claudio Franceschi
Alberto Bazzocchi
Publication date
01-09-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Sarcopenia
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5973-2

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