Higher Muscle Mass Research Articles

The impact of sarcopenic obesity on knee and hip osteoarthritis: a scoping review

BackgroundThe progressive, debilitating nature of knee and hip osteoarthritis can result in severe, persistent pain and disability, potentially leading to a need for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in end-stage osteoarthritis. TJA in adults with obesity is associated with increased surgical risk and prolonged recovery, yet classifying obesity only using body mass index (BMI) precludes distinction of obesity phenotypes and their impact on surgical risk and recovery. The sarcopenic obesity phenotype, characterized by high adiposity and low skeletal muscle mass, is associated with higher infection rates, poorer function, and slower recovery after surgery in other clinical populations, but not thoroughly investigated in osteoarthritis. The rising prevalence and impact of this phenotype demands further attention in osteoarthritis treatment models of care, particularly as osteoarthritis-related pain, disability, and current treatment practices may inadvertently be influencing its development.MethodsA scoping review was used to examine the extent of evidence of sarcopenic obesity in adults with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE were systematically searched from inception to December 2017 with keywords and subject headings related to obesity, sarcopenia and osteoarthritis.ResultsEleven studies met inclusion criteria, with indications that muscle weakness, low skeletal muscle mass or sarcopenia are present alongside obesity in this population, potentially impacting therapeutic outcomes, and TJA surgical risk and recovery.ConclusionsConsideration of sarcopenic obesity should be included in osteoarthritis patient assessments.

Obesidad sarcopénica y disfuncionalidad en población con síndrome metabólico

The sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a new category of obesity, specially related with the elderly population, characterized by high fat mass and low muscle mass. It is intended to analyze the relation between SO and disability, in a population older than 55 years with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. For the body composition analyzes we used DXA in 303 patients, and for the assessment of disability we used 5 physical validated test in a subsample of 53 patients. We constructed a global physical capacity score and we studied the association with SO phenotypes, defined using the skeletal muscle mass and the total body fat. It has not been found significant associations between SO and disability in our sample. Studies with a large sample are needed.

It's What’s Inside that Counts: Body Composition and Lung Transplantation

Factors such as weight, body composition, and functional status appear to influence lung transplant outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) is incorporated into the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation’s (ISHLT) recipient selection guidelines. Data suggests BMI does not effectively differentiate patients with high body fat percentage or low lean muscle mass, leading to both over and under estimates of candidates’ risks. Recent research has focused on alternate measures and estimates of body composition and their associations with important lung transplant outcomes. Herein, we review the current literature on body composition in lung transplantation, including the variety of measurements used and the concepts of obesity, low muscle mass, and frailty. The concept of body composition is evolving beyond the relationship between weight and height as represented by a calculated body mass index. Radiographic assessments and serum markers allow for a more precise and representative measurement of body composition which takes into consideration fat percentage and muscle mass.

Impact of low skeletal muscle mass and density on short and long-term outcome after resection of stage I-III colorectal cancer

BackgroundPreoperative low skeletal muscle mass and density are associated with increased postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing curative colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. However, the long-term effects of low skeletal muscle mass and density remain uncertain. MethodsPatients with stage I-III CRC undergoing surgery, enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study, were included. Skeletal muscle mass and density were measured on CT. Patients with high and low skeletal muscle mass and density were compared regarding postoperative complications, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). ResultsIn total, 816 patients (53.9% males, median age 70) were included; 50.4% had low skeletal muscle mass and 64.1% low density. The severe postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in patients with low versus high skeletal muscle and density (20.9% versus 13.6%, p = 0.006; 20.0% versus 11.8%, p = 0.003). Low skeletal muscle mass (OR 1.91, p = 0.018) and density (OR 1.87, p = 0.045) were independently associated with severe postoperative complications. Ninety-day mortality was higher in patients with low skeletal muscle mass and density compared with patients with high skeletal muscle mass and density (3.6% versus 1.7%, p = 0.091; 3.4% versus 1.0%, p = 0.038). No differences in DFS were observed. After adjustment for covariates such as age and comorbidity, univariate differences in OS and CSS diminished. ConclusionsLow skeletal muscle mass and density are associated with short-term, but not long-term, outcome in patients undergoing CRC surgery. These findings recommend putting more emphasis on preoperative management of patients at risk for surgical complications, but do not support benefit for long-term outcome.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ELEVATED ANKLE-BRACHIAL INDEX DIFFERS DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF APPENDICULAR MUSCLE MASS

Objective: Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In contrast, the clinical implication of high ABI is less understood, though several cross-sectional studies reported that high ABI was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. From our preceding study, we suspected that body composition may be a determinant for high ABI, and consequently modulate the clinical significance of high ABI. Design and method: Datasets of two studies employing independent cohorts, the anti-aging study cohort (n = 1,765, 65 ± 9 years) and Nagahama study (n = 8,039, 58 ± 13 years), were analyzed in this study, in which appendicular muscle mass was measured by computed tomography and bioelectrical impedance analysis, respectively. Brachial and ankle blood pressure were measured using a cuff-oscillometric method. Results: In the anti-aging study cohort, there was a significant correlation between the thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and ABI (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). The association of thigh muscle area (β = 0.387, p < 0.001), but not fat area, was independent of body mass index (p = 0.662) and other possible covariates, including systolic brachial blood pressure (p = 0.054), carotid hypertrophy (p = 0.559), and arterial stiffness (β = 0.102, p = 0.001). Although there was a significant sex-differences in the thigh muscle area, muscle CSA was identified as an independent determinant for ABI (β = 0.286, p < 0.001, VIF = 4.87) even in a sex (women: β = −0.087, p = 0.055, VIF = 4.19) included regression model. This positive association was replicated in the Nagahama cohort. When the subjects were subdivided by 75 percentiles of ABI and appendicular muscle mass, multinomial logistic regression analysis identified insulin resistance as an independent determinant for elevated ABI with normal muscle mass (coefficient = 0.134, p = 0.010), whereas insulin resistance was inversely associated with elevated ABI in cases with high muscle mass (coefficient = −0.268, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Appendicular muscle mass was a strong determinant for ABI. The clinical background, particularly insulin resistance, of individuals with elevated ABI might differ based on the amount of muscle mass.

남자 청소년의 근육량에 따른 건강관련요인과 영양섭취 및 신체활동과의 관련성 : 제5기 국민건강영양조사 자료를 이용하여

This study examined the relationships among skeletal muscle mass, nutrient intake, and physical activities in male adolescents. The 5SUPth/SUP Korean national health and nutrition examination survey was analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 package program. The results showed that high skeletal muscle mass group (Q4) had a lower body weight, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and higher HDL-C level than the low skeletal muscle mass group (Q1). In addition, the high muscle mass group showed a higher carbohydrate but lower protein intake ratio. On the other hand, the Q4 group showed higher protein intake per body weight compared to the Q1 group. Male adolescents, who had a high muscle mass performed more high intensity exercise than those who had a low muscle mass. These results indicated that adequate muscle mass should be maintained to improve the health-related factors (blood pressure, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride, and HDL-C) in male adolescents and sufficient protein intake and regular high intensity exercise should be conducted to maintain adequate muscle mass.

Creatinine Versus Cystatin C: Differing Estimates of Renal Function in Hospitalized Veterans Receiving Anticoagulants.

Current practice in anticoagulation dosing relies on kidney function estimated by serum creatinine using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. However, creatinine can be unreliable in patients with low or high muscle mass. Cystatin C provides an alternative estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) that is independent of muscle. We compared cystatin C-based eGFR (eGFRcys) with multiple creatinine-based estimates of kidney function in hospitalized patients receiving anticoagulants, to assess for discordant results that could impact medication dosing. Retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients over 1year who received non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation, and who had same-day measurements of cystatin C and creatinine. Seventy-five inpatient veterans (median age 68) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC). We compared the median difference between eGFR by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) study equation using cystatin C (eGFRcys) and eGFRs using three creatinine-based equations: CKD-EPI (eGFREPI), Modified Diet in Renal Disease (eGFRMDRD), and Cockcroft-Gault (eGFRCG). We categorized patients into standard KDIGO kidney stages and into drug-dosing categories based on each creatinine equation and calculated proportions of patients reclassified across these categories based on cystatin C. Cystatin C predicted overall lower eGFR compared to creatinine-based equations, with a median difference of - 7.1 (IQR - 17.2, 2.6)mL/min/1.73m2 versus eGFREPI, - 21.2 (IQR - 43.7, - 8.1)mL/min/1.73m2 versus eGFRMDRD, and - 25.9 (IQR - 46.8, - 8.7)mL/min/1.73m2 versus eGFRCG. Thirty-one to 52% of patients were reclassified into lower drug-dosing categories using cystatin C compared to creatinine-based estimates. We found substantial discordance in eGFR comparing cystatin C with creatinine in this group of anticoagulated inpatients. Our sample size was limited and included few women. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate implications for bleeding and other clinical outcomes. Not applicable.

Low Muscle Strength and Mass Is Associated With the Accelerated Decline of Bone Microarchitecture at the Distal Radius in Older Men: the Prospective STRAMBO Study

Low muscle mass and strength are associated with poor bone microarchitecture. We studied the association of muscle mass and strength with changes in bone microarchitecture of distal radius in 821 older men during an 8-year prospective follow-up. Bone microarchitecture was assessed by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (XtremeCT-1, Scanco) at baseline, then after 4 and 8 years. Relative appendicular lean mass of the upper limbs (RALM-u.l.) was calculated as DXA-measured lean mass of upper limbs divided by (height)2 . Relative grip strength was calculated as grip strength divided by height. Decrease in bone mineral content (BMC), total volumetric bone mineral density (Tt.vBMD), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), cortical area (Ct.Ar) and cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) accelerated with age. Trabecular area (Tb.Ar) expansion and trabecular bone deterioration accelerated with age. Men in the first RALM-u.l. quartile had more rapid loss of BMC, Tt.vBMD, Ct.Th, Ct.vBMD and Ct.Ar vs. the highest quartile. They had more rapid increase in Tb.Ar. Men in the lowest quartile of grip strength had greater decrease in BMC, Tt.vBMD, Ct.Th, Ct.vBMD, Ct.Ar, and greater increase in Tb.Ar vs. the highest quartile. In the models including ALM-u.l. and grip strength (not corrected for height), both muscle-related variables were associated with more rapid bone microarchitectural deterioration (slightly more so for grip strength). Trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD) and Central.Tb.vBMD increased in men having higher muscle mass and strength. Trends in trabecular number and thickness did not differ across the groups in all the analyses. Thus, in men, aging-related deterioration of bone microarchitecture was most rapid after the age of 80. Low grip strength (and slightly more weakly low RALM-u.l.) is associated with the more rapid decrease in Tt.vBMD and cortical variables, and with greater Tb.Ar expansion. In conclusion, dynapenia and sarcopenia contribute to the deterioration of bone microarchitecture in older men. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Characteristics of hyperuricemia in older adults in China and possible associations with sarcopenia.

ObjectiveThis cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate the characteristics and epidemiology of hyperuricemia in older adults in China and evaluate possible associations between hyperuricemia and sarcopenia.MethodsThree hundred and eighty‐eight study subjects (>60 years old) meeting the inclusion criteria received blood tests and standardized examinations for bone mineral density, muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Data including demographic and clinical characteristic and comorbidity were also collected. All data were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsIn the study population, higher uric acid levels were significantly correlated with higher muscle mass, grip strength, and bone density, but were unrelated to physical performance. When uric acid levels were separated into quartiles and the population was divided by sex, the correlation of uric acid to muscle mass was retained in some quartiles for both men and women, and the correlation to handgrip was only retained for one quartile for men. The correlation to bone density was retained in women in all analyses.ConclusionIn the population as a whole, higher uric acid levels were significantly correlated with higher muscle mass, grip strength, and bone density, but had no relationship to physical performance. Differences between men and women in these relationships need to be studied further.

Clinical significance of an elevated ankle-brachial index differs depending on the amount of appendicular muscle mass: the J-SHIPP and Nagahama studies.

Clinical implication of a high ankle-brachial index (ABI) is not well known. Based on our previous study, we suspected that body composition may be a determinant of a high ABI and may consequently modulate the clinical significance of a high ABI. Datasets of two studies with independent cohorts, the anti-aging study cohort (n = 1765) and the Nagahama study cohort (n = 8,039), were analyzed in this study, in which appendicular muscle mass was measured by computed tomography and bioelectrical impedance analysis, respectively. Brachial and ankle blood pressures were measured using a cuff-oscillometric method. In the anti-aging study cohort, thigh muscle area (β = 0.387, p < 0.001), but not fat area, showed a strong positive association with the ABI independent of the body mass index (p = 0.662) and other possible covariates, including systolic brachial blood pressure (p = 0.054), carotid hypertrophy (p = 0.559), and arterial stiffness (β = 0.102, p = 0.001). This positive association was replicated in the Nagahama cohort. When the subjects were subdivided by the 75th percentiles of the ABI and appendicular muscle mass, multinomial logistic regression analysis identified insulin resistance as an independent determinant of an elevated ABI in subjects with normal muscle mass (coefficient = 0.134, p = 0.010), whereas insulin resistance was inversely associated with an elevated ABI in subjects with high muscle mass (coefficient = -0.268, p = 0.001). Appendicular muscle mass was a strong determinant of the ABI. The clinical background, particularly insulin resistance, of individuals with an elevated ABI may differ based on the amount of muscle mass.

Bone health assessment in older people with or without muscle health impairment

SummaryThis study investigated the relationship between muscle and bone status in elderly individuals. Our results suggested links between sarcopenia and osteoporosis; impairment in muscle status (i.e., muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance) is associated with deterioration in bone mass and texture subsequently leading to an increased risk of fracture.IntroductionAccumulating evidence has shown associations between sarcopenia and osteoporosis, but existing studies face inconsistencies in the clinical definition of both conditions. Thus, we sought to investigate bone health among older individuals with or without muscle health impairment.MethodsWe conducted an analysis of cross-sectional data available from the Sarcopenia and Physical Impairment with Advancing Age (SarcoPhAge) study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) (i.e., a low muscle mass plus either low muscle strength or low physical performance). Muscle mass and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Muscle strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer, and physical performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery test. Using the cutoff limits proposed by the EWGSOP, we have classified women in the “low SMI group” when its value was < 5.50 kg/m2, in the “low muscle strength group” when strength was < 20 kg, and in the “low physical performance group” when SPPB < 8 points. The thresholds of < 7.26 kg/m2 (for SMI), < 30 kg (for muscle strength), and SPPB < 8 points were used for men. The 10-year fracture risk was obtained using the FRAX® tool. Moreover, bone texture was determined using the trabecular bone score (TBS) method.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 288 older subjects aged 74.7 ± 5.7 years, and 59.0% of the subjects were women. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 43 individuals (14.9%), and osteoporosis was diagnosed in 36 subjects (12.5%). Moreover, aBMD values were, most of the time, lower in older men and women with muscle impairment (i.e., low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical performance). For these subjects, we also noted a higher probability of fracture. When comparing bone quality, there were no significant differences in the TBS values between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older men and women or between those with low and high muscle mass. However, when controlling for confounders (i.e., age, BMI, number of co-morbidities, smoking status, and nutritional status), TBS values were lower in older women with low muscle strength (p = 0.04) and in older men with low physical performance (p = 0.01).ConclusionsOur study showed interrelationships between components of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, with older subjects with muscle impairment having poorer bone health.

Visceral adiposity but not subcutaneous fat associated with improved outcome of patients with acute cholecystitis

BackgroundThe aim of this study to study the effect of visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue mass on short- and long-term prognosis of patients with acute calculus cholecystitis (ACC). MethodsRetrospective analysis of medical records. Included were all patients admitted because of ACC. Computed tomography images at the level of L3 were analyzed for body composition using designated software (Slice-O-matic; TomoVision, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). General linear model was used to analyze the effect of body composition on length of hospital stay, and Cox regression analysis was used to ascertain the effect of the different parameters on 1-y survival. ResultsIncluded were 159 patients (mean age: 71.7 ± 15.8 y, 54.7% males). Fat was the most abundant tissue (401 ± 175 cm2 of the computed tomography slices surface area), and visceral fat was 45.8 ± 14.1% of the fat area measured. Using the general linear model, we found that American Society of Anesthesiologists score, disease severity index, and age were positively associated with higher length of stay, whereas high visceral fat was associated with lower length of stay (estimated marginal means at 7.4 ± 1.4 d compared to 12.7 ± 1.4 d among patients with lower visceral fat surface area, P = 0.010). The Cox regression model showed that 1-y survival risk was significantly reduced by age, the Charlson Comorbidity Index and high muscle mass. High visceral adiposity was associated with improved survival (odds ratio: 0.216, 95% confidence interval: 0.064-0.724, P = 0.013). Subcutaneous adiposity did not affect prognosis. ConclusionsVisceral adiposity is associated with shorter length of stay and improved 1-y survival among patients hospitalized with ACC.

Changes in body composition in patients following bariatric surgery: gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Introduction: among the surgical techniques that promote greater weight loss are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). These procedures generate changes in muscle mass (MM) and fat mass (FM). Objective: the aim of this study was to determine changes in body composition in patients undergoing RYGB and SG in a period of one-year after surgery. Methods: a cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in three clinical centers of bariatric surgery in the Metropolitan Region, Chile. Information on MM and FM was obtained through bioimpedance analysis of 96 women and 32 men, operated between 2013 and 2017. Results: RYGB operated subjects presented higher MM content preoperatively and at the end of the first year compared to SG. In the first six months, the loss for MM, FM and % total fat (%FM) was similar in both techniques. Men with RYGB present greater loss of MM and FM in the first trimester post-surgery than those who submitted to SG (p = 0.0453). Subjects submitted to RYGB presented higher weight and body mass index (BMI) in the preoperative (p = 0.0109); the BMI at the end was similar in both surgical techniques (p = 0.6936). The lost kilos of MM were greater in the subjects submitted to RYGB (p = 0.0042), however, the % loss of MM exceeds the recommended (up to 22%) in both techniques. Conclusion: the nutritional approach is necessary to increase protein intake pre- and post-surgery as well as physical activity in order to preserve this compartment.

High skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased serum 25(OH)D levels in elderly

BackgroundLow vitamin D has been associated with various health problems. Aging influences body composition, especially body fat and fat-free mass. Anthropometric measurements, such as body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), waist circumference (WC) and the waist-height ratio (WHtR) represent body composition which many studies proposed will influence serum vitamin D [25(OH)D]. The objective of the present study was to determine which anthropometric measurements were determinants of 25(OH)D levels in elderly.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 126 elderly (&gt;60 years old) men and women at Pusat Santunan Dalam Keluarga (PUSAKA) Central Jakarta centers. Anthropometric measurements [body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body fat (BF), and waist circumference (WC)] were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis using the Omron body composition monitor with scales (HBF-375, Omron, Japan). Fasting blood samples were taken to measure 25(OH)D level by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the data.Results The data showed that BMI, BF, and WC were higher than recommended, while SMM and serum 25(OH)D were lower. When the analysis was done based on sex, there were significant differences in BF, SMM, WHtR, and serum 25(OH)D. In the linear regression multivariate analysis of log 25(OH)D with age and body anthropometric measurements, only SMM reached significance level (β=0.019; p=0.025).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated a positive association between skeletal muscle mass and serum levels of vitamin D in elderly.

Educational review: measurement of GFR in special populations.

Changes in kidney function are typically followed by the sequential estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Formulae for eGFR work well on a population basis, but there are well-known conditions where they do not work. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on special populations in the pediatric age range and provide recommendations on how to estimate GFR in these populations. The reliability of creatinine depends on muscle mass, while cystatin C (not widely available) is limited by inflammation and changes in protein catabolism. Various dietary factors can alter eGFR. Renal function in neonates changes drastically every day, and there are currently no satisfactory reference intervals for routine pediatric use. Gender effects and conditions such as wasting disease and obesity require alternative ways to obtain eGFR. In oncology patients, chemotherapy may negatively affect renal function, and nuclear GFR measurements may be necessary. For body builders, high muscle mass may lead to underestimation of eGFR using creatinine. Clinicians should be aware of special populations that may yield misleading eGFRs with conventional creatinine-based formulae, and that the alternative methods may be more appropriate for some populations.

Partial phenotype conversion and differential trait response to conditions of husbandry in mice

Functional genome analysis usually is performed on the level of genotype–phenotype interaction. However, phenotypes also depend on the relations between genomes and environment. In our experimental system, we observed differential response to environmental factors defined by different conditions of husbandry in a semi-barrier unit or in a SPF (specific pathogen free) barrier unit, which resulted in partial reversal of phenotypes previously observed under semi-barrier conditions. To provide an update of basic phenotypes in unselected and randomly mated controls (DUC) and long-term selected DUhTP (Dummerstorf high treadmill performance) mice in the SPF facility, we compared growth parameters, reproductive performance, the accretion of muscle and fat mass, physical activity, and running performance as well as food intake in all experimental groups. For selected parameters, the comparative analysis spans more than 30 generations. In DUC mice, under SPF conditions a more than threefold (P < 0.0001) higher subcutaneous fat mass, higher muscle mass by about 25% (P < 0.0001), but lower epididymal fat mass in DUhTP mice by about 20% (P < 0.0001) were observed. In SPF husbandry, body weight increased to a stronger extent in adult DUC mice (≈ 20%; P < 0.0001) than in DUhTP mice (≈ 8%; P = 0.001). The concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBPs in the serum as well as the liver weights were similar in all experimental groups, indicating growth effects independent of the somatotropic axis. Under SPF conditions the litter size at birth increased in DUC mice (P < 0.001) but not in DUhTP mice. The differential effect of husbandry on body weights at day 21 and concentrations of triglycerides in the serum of our model were due to the different diets used in the semi-barrier and in the SPF facility. Our results demonstrate differential trait response to environmental factors resulting in partial phenotype conversion in our experimental system. The existence of conditional phenotypes as a result of genotype–environment interactions points to the importance of environmental factors in functional genome analysis.

Human sex hormone-binding globulin does not provide metabolic protection against diet-induced obesity and dysglycemia in mice.

BackgroundSex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is the main transporter of sex hormones in most vertebrates. Low SHBG levels have been linked to increased risk for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Polymorphisms of the SHBG gene linked to low SHBG protein levels also strongly predicted increased risk of type 2 diabetes, thus raising the possibility that SHBG may play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes.AimTo examine whether expression of human SHBG in mice may ameliorate the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in response to a high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsTransgene mice expressing a human SHBG transgene (SHBG+) (N = 10/11; males/females) and their wild type littermates (N = 12/8; males/females) were fed HFD for 4.5 months.ResultsHFD induced comparable obesity in control and SHBG+ mice. Male transgenes had higher muscle mass after 2–3.5 months HFD (0.43 ± 0.028 (n = 4) vs 0.38 ± 0.053 g (n = 7), P = 0.05). Fasting blood glucose, as well as insulin or HOMA-IR, was not different in transgenic vs wild-type males after 4–5 months HFD. Female transgenes had higher fasting glucose (152 ± 29 (n = 7) vs 115 ± 27 mg/dL, P = 0.01 (n = 8)), but mean insulin and HOMA-IR were not different. Likewise, insulin tolerance test and intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test (GTT) were not different. Finally, SHBG+ mice were not different from controls in terms of liver enzymes, serum triglyceride levels and blood pressure.ConclusionIn mice with diet-induced obesity, human SHBG did not protect against development of obesity or dysglycemia.

Association between obesity with low muscle mass and dialysis mortality.

To examine the association between body composition and dialysis mortality. Adult patients who underwent haemodialysis in Taoyuan General Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were enrolled. We reviewed their baseline characteristics and followed up their treatment over 5 years after dialysis. Patients with body mass index >25 kg/m2 were defined as obese. High or low muscle mass were classified by skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) based on consensus from Chinese population. All age-matched subjects were classified into four groups: (A) optimal; (B) obesity; (C) low muscle mass; and (D) obesity with low muscle mass. Adjusted hazard ratios for mortality and cumulative survival curves were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier method. The discriminative power of SMMI was calculated according to the area under the curve and the receiver operating characteristic curve. From a total of 176 age-matched patients, the incidence rates of mortality for different groups were 3.7, 7.8, 10.3 and 16.5 per 1000 person-months. After adjusting for continuous variables, SMMI was independently associated with mortality. The difference between groups A and D was more significant in women than in men after multivariate adjustment (adjusted hazard ratios: 7.465 vs 1.682) (P = 0.035 and 0.553). The discriminative power of SMMI to predict 5-year mortality was 0.700 for men and 0.750 for women, and the best cut-off values were 11.1 and 8.4 kg/m2 CONCLUSIONS: Low muscle mass was associated with dialysis mortality. Obesity with low muscle mass was a predictor for dialysis mortality in women.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased hospital expenditure in patients undergoing cancer surgery of the alimentary tract.

BackgroundLow skeletal muscle mass is associated with poor postoperative outcomes in cancer patients. Furthermore, it is associated with increased healthcare costs in the United States. We investigated its effect on hospital expenditure in a Western-European healthcare system, with universal access.MethodsSkeletal muscle mass (assessed on CT) and costs were obtained for patients who underwent curative-intent abdominal cancer surgery. Low skeletal muscle mass was defined based on pre-established cut-offs. The relationship between low skeletal muscle mass and hospital costs was assessed using linear regression analysis and Mann-Whitney U-tests.Results452 patients were included (median age 65, 61.5% males). Patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (38.9%), colorectal liver metastases (27.4%), primary liver tumours (23.2%), and pancreatic/periampullary cancer (10.4%). In total, 45.6% had sarcopenia. Median costs were €2,183 higher in patients with low compared with patients with high skeletal muscle mass (€17,144 versus €14,961; P<0.001). Hospital costs incrementally increased with lower sex-specific skeletal muscle mass quartiles (P = 0.029). After adjustment for confounders, low skeletal muscle mass was associated with a cost increase of €4,061 (P = 0.015).ConclusionLow skeletal muscle mass was independently associated with increased hospital costs of about €4,000 per patient. Strategies to reduce skeletal muscle wasting could reduce hospital costs in an era of incremental healthcare costs and an increasingly ageing population.

Relationship between High Serum Cadmium Level and Low Muscle Mass in Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome defined as progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, associated with mobility disorders,...