Muscle loss in older adults linked to glycation stress

A research group including Researcher Takashi Shida and Deputy Research Director Hiroyuki Sasai at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology announced on June 5 that they clarified the association between plasma pentosidine concentration, an indicator of glycation stress, and low muscle mass and physical function in the elderly. Higher plasma pentosidine concentrations were associated with lower skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), phase angle (PhA), and SPPB scores. It was demonstrated that even in elderly individuals without diabetes, glycation stress may correlate with muscle health status. The achievements were published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International on May 11.

The prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly individuals is reported to be around 10%, posing an important issue associated with an increased risk of falls and the need for long-term care. To date, type 2 diabetes has been considered an important risk factor for sarcopenia, and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accompanying chronic hyperglycemia has drawn attention as one of the mechanisms behind this association. Pentosidine is a representative AGEs marker and has been reported to be associated with muscle mass and other parameters in patients with diabetes. On the other hand, its association with elderly individuals without diabetes remained unclear.

Therefore, the research group investigated the association of plasma pentosidine concentration with skeletal muscle mass, physical function, and sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly individuals without diabetes. They conducted a detailed analysis of data from the "Itabashi Longitudinal Study on Aging," a comprehensive geriatric health checkup conducted in Itabashi City, Tokyo Prefecture, in 2023.

Excluding individuals with smoking habits, diabetes, kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease, they analyzed blood samples and physical data from 424 elderly individuals aged 70 and older in Itabashi City, Tokyo Prefecture. As a result, higher plasma pentosidine concentrations were found to be associated with lower values across three indicators: skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), whole-body and limb phase angle (PhA: thought to reflect cell status and muscle quality), and SPPB score (a physical function indicator combining gait speed, chair rise performance, and standing balance). In women, a tendency was observed where pentosidine concentration was strongly associated with low SMI and slow gait speed. There was no significant association with handgrip strength, gait speed, chair rise performance test, or the prevalence of sarcopenia.

Shida stated: "In this study, we demonstrated the possibility that pentosidine, an indicator of glycation stress, is associated with declines in muscle mass and physical function in community-dwelling elderly individuals without diabetes. Because this is a cross-sectional study, the causal relationship is not clear. Moving forward, through longitudinal studies and intervention studies, we hope to further clarify the relationship between lifestyle habits, including dietary habits and cooking methods, and muscle health."

Journal Information
Publication: Geriatrics & Gerontology International
Title: Association Between Plasma Pentosidine and Skeletal Muscle-Related Indices in Older Adults Without Diabetes
DOI: 10.1111/ggi.70515