Sarcopenic obesity and endocrinal adaptation with age.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Metabolic Health
• Body Composition

Background:

• Normal aging involves decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) and increased fat mass.
• Sarcopenic obesity combines excess weight with reduced muscle mass/strength, increasing frailty and disability.
• Obesity-induced inflammation and fatty infiltration contribute to muscle dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the influence of age-related endocrinal changes on sarcopenic obesity.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying sarcopenic obesity.
• To discuss potential interventions for sarcopenic obesity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on aging, body composition, obesity, and endocrinal factors.
• Analysis of molecular pathways involving cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-15), hormones (leptin), and growth factors (myostatin, adiponectin).
• Examination of therapeutic strategies including exercise, caloric restriction, and myostatin inhibition.

Main Results:

• Sarcopenic obesity is associated with specific molecular changes: upregulated TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, myostatin, and downregulated adiponectin, IL-15.
• Combined exercise and caloric restriction show promise in mitigating sarcopenic obesity symptoms.
• Myostatin inhibition effectively increases skeletal muscle mass and improves glucose homeostasis in preclinical models.

Conclusions:

• Endocrinal changes during aging play a significant role in the development of sarcopenic obesity.
• Targeting myostatin presents a promising therapeutic avenue for combating sarcopenic obesity.
• Lifestyle interventions like exercise and diet are crucial for managing age-related body composition changes.