Abstract
Elevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles, and 2-year risk of incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI). This case–control study is nested in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort of community-dwelling older adults, which included 43 incident cases of LEFI and 86 age- and sex- matched controls. LEFI was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Plasma L-carnitine and 28 acylcarnitine species were measured. After adjusting for potential confounders, medium-chain acylcarnitines levels were associated with 2-year incidence of LEFI [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 2.64; p = 0.02]. Similar results were observed for long-chain acylcarnitines [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 2.80; p = 0.04]. Stratified analyses showed a stronger association between medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines and incidence of LEFI among those with body mass index and energy intake below the median value. In conclusion, higher plasma concentrations of medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were associated with higher risk of LEFI. Given the role of these molecules on mitochondrial transport of fatty acids, our results suggest that bioenergetics dysbalance contributes to LEFI.
Highlights
Elevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Since muscle deterioration and sarcopenia share some biological pathways with metabolic diseases and cardiovascular disease, including insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation, we hypothesized that higher plasma concentrations of acylcarnitine species could be predictive of impaired physical functioning
The aim of the present study was to assess the association of L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles with incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI), by using a case–control design nested in a cohort of community-dwelling old adults
Summary
Elevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles, and 2-year risk of incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI). This case–control study is nested in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort of communitydwelling older adults, which included 43 incident cases of LEFI and 86 age- and sex- matched controls. Since muscle deterioration and sarcopenia share some biological pathways with metabolic diseases and cardiovascular disease, including insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation, we hypothesized that higher plasma concentrations of acylcarnitine species could be predictive of impaired physical functioning. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles with incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI), by using a case–control design nested in a cohort of community-dwelling old adults
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