Associations between Physical Function, Bone Density, Muscle Mass and Muscle Morphology in Older Men with Sarcopenia: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: It is thought that muscle and bone interact only on a biomechanical level, however, some research is now emerging that links bone and muscle on a cellular level. The aim of this study was to explore associations between physical function, muscle mass and bone density in community-dwelling elderly men with sarcopenia. A secondary goal was to analyze if muscle morphology was associated with bone density and physical functioning. Materials and Methods: Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone density was evaluated according to WHO criteria. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria: low muscle mass and low muscle strength or low physical performance. Microbiopsy of musculus vastus lateralis was performed with a disposable muscle microbiopsy system. The perimeter and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers were calculated using image analysis software in whole slide images; type of fibers and their distribution were evaluated as well. Results: A total of 151 men, 60 years or older were included in this study. Mean age of the subjects was 72.9 ± 8.02 years. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 45 (29.8%) men. Multiple significant correlations were found between bone mineral density, lean mass, appendicular lean mass, arm and leg lean mass, gait speed, balance test and handgrip strength in sarcopenic men. Lean mass was associated with femoral neck BMD (bone mineral density; r = 0.418, p = 0.006) and handgrip strength (r = 0.553, p < 0.001). In the sarcopenia group, 25 muscle biopsies were examined. In 9 sarcopenic men with T-scores equal or below −2.5, the muscle fiber area had a significant correlation with the balance test (r = 0.73, p = 0.025). Conclusions: In men with sarcopenia, low lean muscle mass was associated with low femoral neck BMD and low muscle strength. In sarcopenic men with osteoporosis, low muscle fiber area was associated with low scores in a balance test.

Agreement and differences between the equations for estimating muscle and bone mass using the anthropometric method in recreational strength trainees

“…Along this line, an adequate development of BM will provide a favorable environment for a greater development of MM ( Esparza-Ros & Vaquero-Cristóbal, 2023 ). In addition, the estimation of MM and BM has also been widely used in the field of health, because of its relationship with diseases such as sarcopenia, osteopenia, and osteoporosis, or quality of life, especially in elders ( Mosti et al, 2013 ; Clynes et al, 2021 ; Mastavičiūtė et al, 2021 ). Due to this, in recent years the research of methods for the estimation of muscle and bone masses has been in the spotlight of the scientific community ( Kasper et al, 2021 ).…”

Risk phenotype for sarcopenia in older adults from Amazonas, Brazil; a cross-sectional study

“…The recommendation proposed by the different working groups for Sarcopenia—European (EWGSOP2 [ 2 ]), Asian (AWGS2, [ 7 ]) and American (SDOC [ 8 ]) does not is consensual regarding the assessment or not of muscle mass, EWGSOP2 and AWGS2 vs SDOC, respectively [ 5 ]. The assessment of muscle function, namely the handgrip strength (HGS) and chair raise for muscle strength, and the gait speed, SPPB, and walking distance test for physical performance, is consensual among the three groups of studies, but with differences in the form how results are expressed, precisely without or with adjustment for body dimensions (EWGSOP2 and AWGS2 vs SDOC), or differing in cutoff values (EWGSOP2 vs AWGS2 vs SDOC) [ 9 ]. For example, although the AWGS2 suggests a cutoff value of 28 kg for men and 18 kg for women for low grip strength [ 7 ], the EWGSOP2 proposes a cutoff value of 27 kg for men and 16 kg for women [ 2 ].…”

Relationship between Masticatory Function and Bone Mineral Density in Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A relationship between sarcopenia and bone mineral density (BMD) has also been suggested [ 26 ]. A prospective cohort study of the association between frailty (sarcopenia) and BMD in 235 community-dwelling women found an association of decreased physical function with decreased BMD at 1 year.…”