Plasma Leptin Concentration and Sympathetic Nervous Activity in Older Adults With Physical Dysfunction

Previous research has shown a positive relationship between plasma leptin and sympathetic nervous activity. High plasma leptin activate inflammatory cytokines and lead to muscle wasting. However, studies have detected low sympathetic nervous activity and high plasma leptin in older adults with muscle wasting, sarcopenia, and frailty. High plasma leptin do not seem to correlate with high sympathetic nervous activity. However, their relationship in older adults remains unclear.

We investigated the relationship between plasma leptin and sympathetic nervous activity in older adults.

We conducted a cross-sectional study and analyzed the results from 69 participants aged ≥75 years. Sympathetic nervous activity was measured by heart rate variability, obtained from 24-hour Holter monitoring. A functional independence measure (FIM) and Barthel index were used to assess physical function.

The plasma leptin was higher in women (men, 3.4 ± 2.8 ng/mL; women, 6.6 ± 6.5 ng/mL; P = 0.024). Plasma leptin was negatively and substantially related to the FIM (β = -0.233; P = 0.049) and Barthel index (β = -0.298, P = 0.018) after adjustment for covariates. However, the data showed no relationship between the plasma leptin and sympathetic nervous activity.

We could not detect an association between sympathetic nervous activity and plasma leptin in older adults. This might suggest a failure of the feedback system of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to muscle wasting in older adults.