Testosterone and Adipokines are Determinants of Physical Performance, Strength, and Aerobic Fitness in Frail, Obese, Older Adults

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the independent and combined effects of baseline circulating gonadal, anabolic hormones and adipokines on physical function in 107 frail, obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), and older (≥65 yr) subjects. Our results showed significant positive correlations between circulating testosterone and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) with knee flexion, knee extension, one-repetition maximum (1-RM), and peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), while no correlation was observed with estradiol. Among the adipokines, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and leptin negatively correlated with the modified physical performance testing (PPT), knee flexion, knee extension, 1-RM, and VO2 peak. Interleukin-6 ( Il-6) negatively correlated with knee flexion and VO2 peak and soluble tumor necrosis factors receptor-1 (sTNFr1) correlated with PPT, 1-RM, and VO2 peak. Adiponectin correlated negatively with 1-RM. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, for PPT, sTNFr1 was the only independent predictor. Independent predictors included adiponectin, leptin, and testosterone for knee flexion; leptin and testosterone for knee extension; adiponectin, leptin, and testosterone for 1-RM; and IGF-1, IL-6, leptin, and testosterone for VO2 peak. In conclusion, in frail obese older adults, circulating levels of testosterone, adiponectin, and leptin appear to be important predictors of physical strength and fitness, while inflammation appears to be a major determinant of physical frailty.

Gender difference in the effects of interleukin-6 on grip strength – a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The correlation coefficient was small but negative and similar in both genders. These results correspond with findings of the few available previous studies using other muscle parameters (muscle strength for knee flexion or extension [ 14 , 18 , 21 , 26 ], 6-min walking distance [ 20 ], chair stand test [ 16 ], thigh [ 14 ] or leg muscle area [ 18 ]). Higher pIL-6 is associated not only with lower muscle mass/strength [ 14 ], but the higher level predicts a higher rate of muscle loss even in healthy elderly [ 46 ].…”

Hand-grip strength among older adults in Singapore: a comparison with international norms and associative factors

“…Abdominal fat secretes cytokines and hormones (adipokines) and a relationship between higher cytokines levels and lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength has been reported [ 43 ]. Negative relationship between adipokines and strength and aerobic fitness in older adults has also been reported [ 44 ].…”

Frailty and sarcopenia as the basis for the phenotypic manifestation of chronic diseases in older adults

“…Estradiol levels seem to decrease with aging in men and women (Carcaillon et al, 2012b;Leifke et al, 2000;Yeap et al, 2012a). However, although a significant negative correlation of estradiol and estrone levels with frailty score in men aged ≥70 years has been reported (Travison et al, 2011), no significant association of circulating estradiol with frailty has been observed in other studies performed in older men Eichholzer et al, 2012;Yeap et al, 2012a) and no association of estradiol with physical performance or strength was established in female and male obese older adults (Aguirre et al, 2014). Furthermore, higher estradiol levels have been associated with frailty in postmenopausal women, a relationship synergized by the concomitant presence of systemic inflammation (Carcaillon et al, 2012b).…”