Low Levels of Branched Chain Amino Acids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Micronutrients are Associated with Low Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Borg, Sovianne ter; Luiking, Yvette C.; Helvoort, Ardy van; Boirie‌, Yves; Schols, Jos M. G. A.; Groot, Lisette C. P. G. M. de

doi:10.1007/s12603-018-1108-3

Cited by 59 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In particular, a link between a poor-quality protein diet or (selective) malabsorption and an impaired mitochondrial quality control mechanism was reported [23]. These findings are in keeping with results from the cross-sectional Maastricht Sarcopenia study (MaSS) in which selected nutritional biomarkers (e.g., essential amino acids, branched-chain amino acids, and eicosapentaenoic acid) were decreased in older, sarcopenic adults [118].…”

Section: Metabolic Markerssupporting

confidence: 66%

Biomarkers of Physical Frailty and Sarcopenia: Coming up to the Place?

Picca

Calvani

Cesari

et al. 2020

IJMS

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Physical frailty and sarcopenia (PF&S) recapitulates all the hallmarks of aging and has become a focus in geroscience. Factors spanning muscle-specific processes (e.g., mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal myocytes) to systemic changes (e.g., inflammation and amino acid dysmetabolism) have been pinpointed as possible contributors to PF&S pathophysiology. However, the search for PF&S biomarkers allowing the early identification and tracking of the condition over time is ongoing. This is mainly due to the phenotypic heterogeneity of PF&S, its unclear pathophysiology, and the frequent superimposition of other age-related conditions. Hence, presently, the identification of PF&S relies upon clinical, functional, and imaging parameters. The adoption of multi-marker approaches (combined with multivariate modeling) has shown great potential for addressing the complexity of PF&S pathophysiology and identifying candidate biological markers. Well-designed longitudinal studies are necessary for the incorporation of reliable biomarkers into clinical practice and for unveiling novel targets that are amenable to interventions.

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Section: Metabolic Markerssupporting

confidence: 66%

Biomarkers of Physical Frailty and Sarcopenia: Coming up to the Place?

Picca

Calvani

Cesari

et al. 2020

IJMS

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“…Studies have suggested that BCAAs decline with old age [24,25,26]. There have also been studies of the relationship between BCAAs and frailty or sarcopenia, which are classic age-related syndromes, some of which have shown an association with low BCAA levels [27,28,29,30]. Although it is unclear exactly why BCAAs decline with age, age-related changes in muscle protein metabolism, such as an imbalance in the rate of protein synthesis and breakdown, increased resistance to anabolic factors, changes in levels of physical activity, and an overall reduction in dietary intake of protein may be contributing factors [31,32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of Older Mice and Men: Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Body Composition

et al. 2019

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Protein and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intake are associated with changes in circulating BCAAs and influence metabolic health in humans and rodents. However, the relationship between BCAAs and body composition in both species is unclear, with many studies questioning the translatability of preclinical findings to humans. Here, we assessed and directly compared the relationship between circulating BCAAs, body composition, and intake in older mice and men. Body weight and body fat were positively associated with circulating BCAA levels in both mouse and human, which remained significant after adjustments for age, physical activity, number of morbidities, smoking status, and source of income in the human cohort. Macronutrient intakes were similarly associated with circulating BCAA levels; however, the relationship between protein intake and BCAAs were more pronounced in the mice. These findings indicate that the relationship between circulating BCAAs, body composition, and intakes are comparable in both species, suggesting that the mouse is an effective model for examining the effects of BCAAs on body composition in older humans.

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“…However, it remains to be clarified whether the low dietary intake of proteins over time is the cause of the low plasma concentrations of BCAAs, and whether the levels of leucine in particular can be used as biomarker of sarcopenia; in fact, to date, no optimal or minimum plasma values necessary for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass have been defined for branched chain amino acids (19). Furthermore, using data from the Maastricht Sarcopenia study (MaSS) cross-sectional study of 227 community-resident seniors (mean age 74 years), Ter Borg S. and colleagues observed lower blood levels of essential amino acids, branched chain amino acids and leucine were associated with lower values of the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and grip strength and a longer time required to complete the chair stand test; moreover, the condition of sarcopenia was more frequent among subjects with lower levels of leucine, BCAAs and essential amino acids (EAAs) (20). Moreover, some comparative studies have investigated the differences in the plasma amino acid profile of healthy individuals belonging to different age groups.…”

Section: Leucine Blood Levels and Muscle Mass And Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, some comparative studies have investigated the differences in the plasma amino acid profile of healthy individuals belonging to different age groups. Comparing between them 27 young subjects ( (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), 40-59 and >60 years), it was observed that the levels of total amino acids, EAAs and non-essential and branched chain amino acids decreased with increasing age; furthermore, men showed significantly higher concentrations of EAAs and BCAAs than women. Based on these data, the authors suggest that the reduction in serum amino acid concentrations may represent a consequence of the reduced energy and protein intake (evaluated in this study through a 5-day food diary) that often occurs during aging (23).…”

Section: Leucine Blood Levels and Muscle Mass And Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Where to Find Leucine in Food and How to Feed Elderly With Sarcopenia in Order to Counteract Loss of Muscle Mass: Practical Advice

et al. 2021

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The term sarcopenia refers to the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that generally occurs during aging. The interventions that have proved most effective in reducing the severity and preventing the worsening of sarcopenia include physical exercise, especially resistance, and the administration of dietary supplements in association with a targeted diet; nutritional intervention is the main therapeutic approach for elderly people, since they are very often sedentary (also due to possible disabilities). Among the various nutrients, high biological value proteins and leucine are of particular interest for their demonstrated effects on the health of skeletal muscle. The intake of food containing proteins and leucine during meals stimulates muscle protein synthesis. Lower blood levels of leucine were associated with lower values of the skeletal muscle index, grip strength and performance. The international guidelines recommended that a leucine intake of 3 g at three main meals together with 25–30 g of protein is the goal to be achieved to counteract loss of lean mass in elderly. Food composition databases rarely show the amounts of leucine contained in foods and therefore it becomes difficult to build a diet that follows these guidelines. A table was therefore created for the first time in the literature to collect all the foods richest in leucine, thanks to the union of the most important Italian food databases. Moreover, in order to implement a diet that follows the right recommendations, another tables shows nutritional composition of breakfast, lunch and dinner (that each provide 3 grams of leucine and 25 grams of protein) for seven days.

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Low Levels of Branched Chain Amino Acids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Micronutrients are Associated with Low Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Cited by 59 publications

References 39 publications

Biomarkers of Physical Frailty and Sarcopenia: Coming up to the Place?

Biomarkers of Physical Frailty and Sarcopenia: Coming up to the Place?

Of Older Mice and Men: Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Body Composition

Where to Find Leucine in Food and How to Feed Elderly With Sarcopenia in Order to Counteract Loss of Muscle Mass: Practical Advice

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