Abstract
BackgroundApelin, an active endogenous peptide, has been recently receiving great attention as a promising target for antiaging intervention, primarily based on results from genetically altered mice. To validate previous experimental data and investigate the possible role of apelin in humans, in this study, we examined serum apelin level in relation to frailty and its associated parameters in a cohort of ambulatory, community-dwelling older adults.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 80 participants who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, and apelin level was measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Phenotypic frailty and deficit-accumulation frailty index (FI) were assessed using widely validated approaches, proposed by Fried and Rockwood groups, respectively.ResultsAfter adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index, serum apelin level was found to be not significantly different according to phenotypic frailty status (P = 0.550) and not associated with FI, grip strength, gait speed, time to complete 5 chair stands, and muscle mass (P = 0.433 to 0.982). To determine whether the association between serum apelin level and frailty has a threshold effect, we divided the participants into quartiles according to serum apelin level. However, there were no differences in terms of frailty-related parameters and the risk for frailty among the quartile groups (P = 0.248 to 0.741).ConclusionsThe serum apelin level was not associated with both phenotypic frailty and functional parameters in older adults, despite its beneficial effects against age-related physiologic decline in animal models. Further large-scale longitudinal studies are necessary to understand the definite role of circulating apelin in frailty risk assessment.
Highlights
Apelin, an active endogenous peptide, has been recently receiving great attention as a promising target for antiaging intervention, primarily based on results from genetically altered mice
With the aim to validate previous in vitro and in vivo data and investigate the possible role of apelin in humans, this study examined serum apelin level in relation to frailty and its associated parameters in a cohort of older adults
There were no significant differences in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin level, time to complete 5 chair stands, ASM index (ASMI), and prevalence of polypharmacy, multimorbidity, and Activity of daily living (ADL) disability among the three groups
Summary
An active endogenous peptide, has been recently receiving great attention as a promising target for antiaging intervention, primarily based on results from genetically altered mice. To validate previous experimental data and investigate the possible role of apelin in humans, in this study, we examined serum apelin level in relation to frailty and its associated parameters in a cohort of ambulatory, community-dwelling older adults. Because the number of older persons is rapidly increasing worldwide, frailty is likely to become a significantly more serious public health concern. The first concept proposed by Fried et al [3] is “physical frailty” that views frailty as a biologic syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors. The other concept proposed by Rockwood et al [4] is “cumulative deficit frailty,” which is termed as “frailty index (FI)”, based on the hypothesis that the accumulation of health, functional, psychological, and cognitive problems serves as an indicator of an individual’s aging-related health status. Continuous efforts to identify factors affecting functional changes with aging are critical to achieve the goal of expanding health span
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