The effect of vitamin D on sarcopenia depends on the level of physical activity in older adults

Abstract

Objective Sarcopenia in older adults is closely related to vitamin D deficiency and reduced levels of physical activity, but little has been reported on the interaction between physical activity and the positive effects of vitamin D. The purpose of this study was to explore the interactive effect of vitamin D and physical activity on muscle mass and function through animal experiments and population surveys. Methods Male 4‐week‐old C57BL/6J mice were fed different purified diets: a vitamin D‐deficient diet (with increased calcium and phosphorus to prevent the effects of abnormal mineral levels on muscle) or a 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D)‐supplemented diet. After 24 weeks on the assigned diets, the mice were immobilized. The level of skeletal muscle atrophy in the mice was determined by grip strength, gastrocnemius (GA) muscle mass and muscle fiber cross‐sectional area (CSA); additionally, the protein expression levels of FOXO3a and the E3 ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx were detected. A cross‐sectional study included data from 4139 older adults (64.9% women, 67.9 ± 6.7 years) as part of a survey in Shenyang, Northeast China. The associations of serum 25(OH)D3 and physical activity with timed up and go test (TUG) performance, handgrip strength, calf circumference, and body muscle mass were assessed by a linear regression analysis that was adjusted for covariates. Results In activity‐limited mice, vitamin D deficiency accelerated the decrease in GA muscle weight, muscle fiber CSA, and grip strength and increased the protein expression of MuRF1, MAFbx, and FOXO3a (all P < 0.05). In addition, 1,25D supplementation may inhibit the grip‐strength reduction induced by limited activity (P = 0.069). Serum 25(OH)D3 and physical activity were linearly related to TUG time (P < 0.001) and handgrip strength (P < 0.05) after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), education level, smoking status, and serum calcium level. Serum 25(OH)D3 and physical activity had interactive effects on TUG (P < 0.001) and handgrip strength (P < 0.05) but not calf circumference or body muscle mass in older adults. Conclusions The effect of vitamin D on muscle strength and physical performance depends on physical activity level in the elderly. It is recommended that older adults strive to avoid both physical inactivity and vitamin D deficiency. Because physical inactivity and vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate muscle atrophy, the biological mechanism may involve synergistic effects of vitamin D and physical activity on the promotion of muscle protein ubiquitination and degradation.

Vitamin D and Sarcopenia: Potential of Vitamin D Supplementation in Sarcopenia Prevention and Treatment

“…Moreover, 1,25(OH) 2 D suppressed the increased expression of atrogin-1 and cathepsin L, target genes for FOXO1, which induces muscle atrophy in C2C12 myoblasts [ 59 ] ( Figure 2 ). Interestingly, Yang et al recently reported that physical inactivity and low serum vitamin D can synergistically promote sarcopenia in the elderly [ 60 ]. Under inactive conditions, vitamin D deficiency accelerated the loss of muscle mass, muscle cross-sectional area, and grip strength, and conversely increased protein expression of FOXO3a and its target genes (Atrogin-1 and MuRF1).…”

“…Under inactive conditions, vitamin D deficiency accelerated the loss of muscle mass, muscle cross-sectional area, and grip strength, and conversely increased protein expression of FOXO3a and its target genes (Atrogin-1 and MuRF1). In older adults, serum 25 (OH) D 3 and physical activity showed interactive effects on physical performance (timed up and go test) and muscle strength (grip strength) [ 60 ].…”

Nutrition in the spotlight in cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle: avoiding the wildfire

“…We selected articles investigating nutrition interventions, macronutrient intake below recommended, and micronutrient deficiency. We found 26 articles: 10 clinical trials, 3,25–33 five cross‐sectional studies, 34–38 three experimental animal studies 39–41 (one of which also included a human cross‐sectional analysis 38 ), three narrative reviews, 6,42,43 two retrospective studies, 44,45 two systematic reviews or meta‐analyses, 46,47 and one questionnaire survey 48 . Within the 320 original and review articles published in 2018, 2019, and 2020 in JCSM , the 26 articles on nutrition that we found comprise approximately 8%.…”

“…Of the nutrition studies that we found, one explored the role of protein, 31 three explored the role of vitamin D, 26,38,39 two explored the role of several nutrients, 3,41 and one explored the role of natural product (astaxanthin) supplements 40 . Seven studies 25,27–30,32,33 investigated the effects of multimodal interventions (defined as two or more approaches) on muscle mass.…”

Can physical activity levels and relationships with energy expenditure change the clinical aspects of sarcopenia and perceptions of falls among elderly women? Observational cross-sectional study

“…10,[19][20][21][22] In addition, sarcopenia is associated with falls and fractures among older adults, with elevated risk of mortality, given the effect of vitamin D on muscle strength and physical performance, which depend on the PA level demonstrated by elderly people. 4,23 Nevertheless, only a few studies have focused on the relationship between sarcopenia and physical activity levels in the geriatric population, especially with regard to clinical variables relating to the diagnosis of sarcopenia, such as physical performance, handgrip strength and balance. In a cross-sectional study on community-dwelling older adults in Korea, it was found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenia.…”