Gender-specific association of body composition with inflammatory and adipose-related markers in healthy elderly Europeans from the NU-AGE study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this work was to examine the cross-sectional relationship between body composition (BC) markers for adipose and lean tissue and bone mass, and a wide range of specific inflammatory and adipose-related markers in healthy elderly Europeans. Methods A whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was made in 1121 healthy (65–79 years) women and men from five European countries of the “New dietary strategies addressing the specific needs of elderly population for a healthy aging in Europe” project (NCT01754012) cohort to measure markers of adipose and lean tissue and bone mass. Pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IL-6Rα, TNF-α, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, pentraxin 3, CRP, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, albumin) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β1) molecules as well as adipose-related markers such as leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and resistin were measured by magnetic bead-based multiplex-specific immunoassays and biochemical assays. Results BC characteristics were different in elderly women and men, and more favorable BC markers were associated with a better adipose-related inflammatory profile, with the exception of skeletal muscle mass index. No correlation was found with the body composition markers and circulating levels of some standard pro- and anti-inflammatory markers like IL-6, pentraxin 3, IL-10, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6Rα, glycoprotein 130, TNF-α-R1, and TNF-α-R2. Conclusions The association between BC and inflammatory and adipose-related biomarkers is crucial in decoding aging and pathophysiological processes, such as sarcopenia. DXA can help in understanding how the measurement of fat and muscle is important, making the way from research to clinical practice. Key Points • Body composition markers concordantly associated positively or negatively with adipose-related and inflammatory markers, with the exception of skeletal muscle mass index. • No correlation was found with the body composition markers and circulating levels of some standard pro- and anti-inflammatory markers like IL-6, pentraxin 3, IL-10, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6Rα, gp130, TNF-α-R1, and TNF-α-R2. • Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) shows a good correlation with inflammatory profile in age-related sarcopenia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-018-5973-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aging and Imaging Assessment of Body Composition: From Fat to Facts

“…Similarly, visceral adiposity determined by CT was shown to be correlated with an increased risk in men over 50 years old (111,139). A recent analysis investigating the relationship between BC and inflammation in a large European cohort of elderly has shown that BC and regional lean/fat distribution can define BC clusters that differently associate with inflammatory markers and inflammatory profiles (29).…”

“…Within the framework of the European NU-AGE project (conducted from 2011 to 2016) a DXA scan has been carried out in a large number (N = 1,121) of sex-balanced, free-living, apparently healthy older adults aged 65-79 years enrolled in 5 European countries (Italy, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Poland) (28) for the first time. The results showed that BC characteristics are different in elderly women and men across Europe (19) and that a better adipose-related inflammatory profile is associated to a more favorable BC in terms of fat and lean mass markers (29). In this review, we summarize the present knowledge of available imaging methods to measure BC, with a focus on the measurement of BC changes occurring with age and we discuss pros and cons of each technique.…”

Dietary Fibre May Mitigate Sarcopenia Risk: Findings from the NU-AGE Cohort of Older European Adults

“…Height and weight were measured using standardised procedures and body composition was assessed using whole body Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as described elsewhere [32]. DXA scans were performed by trained technicians according to state-of-the-art technique and manufacturer recommendations.…”

“…Total and regional fat and lean masses were derived. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, %) was derived as previously described [32][33][34]: (appendicular lean mass (kg)/total body weight (kg)) × 100.…”

One-year Mediterranean diet promotes epigenetic rejuvenation with country- and sex-specific effects: a pilot study from the NU-AGE project

“…A comprehensive clinical and molecular characterization was performed at baseline and after the 1-year intervention, and results achieved so far in the framework of this study have demonstrated a beneficial effect of the Mediterranean-like diet on global cognition and episodic memory (Marseglia et al 2018), osteoporosis , immune function (Maijo et al 2018), and cardiovascular health , as well as on the proteasomal proteolysis (Athanasopoulou et al 2018). The NU-AGE study design (different countries with different dietary traditions and habits) and the large number of collected data allowed to evaluate the impact of relevant variables usually poorly investigated (age, sex, and ethnicity/genetics, as well as individual characteristics) on different parameters at baseline and after the intervention (Konz et al 2018;Marseglia et al 2018;Ostan et al 2018;Pujos-Guillot et al 2018;Santoro et al 2018Santoro et al , 2019Jennings et al 2019). Importantly, the enrolled subjects were recruited also in non-Mediterranean countries (Poland, the Netherlands, and the UK).…”