Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
10:37
Author Spotlight: Decellularization-Based Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Fatty Infiltration
Published on: June 9, 2023
3.8K
Increased Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Is Related to Increased Capillarization in Older Adults
O Addison1, A S Ryan, J Blumenthal
1Odessa Addison, 10 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, Phone- (410)605-7000 ext 55393, Fax: (410)605-7913, Email - oaddison@som.umaryland.edu.
The Journal of Frailty & Aging
|June 27, 2020
Summary
High body mass index and muscle capillarization are linked to increased intramuscular adipose tissue in older adults. This surprising finding suggests capillarization may not always indicate good muscle health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Exercise Physiology
- Skeletal Muscle Biology
Background:
- High intramuscular adipose tissue and low capillarization predict poor muscle function in older adults.
- The relationship between these two factors remains largely unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle capillarization in an older adult population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 47 sedentary older adults.
- Intramuscular adipose tissue assessed via CT scans; capillarization determined from muscle biopsies.
- Hierarchical linear regression analyzed predictors of intramuscular adipose tissue.
Main Results:
- Body mass index and capillarization together explained 38.1% of the variance in intramuscular adipose tissue.
- Both body mass index (r=0.47) and capillarization (r=0.39) significantly contributed to the model.
- Capillarization explained 15.2% of the variance, contrary to expectations.
Conclusions:
- Higher muscle capillarization is surprisingly associated with higher intramuscular adipose tissue in older adults.
- This challenges the view of capillarization solely as a marker of positive muscle adaptation.
- Further research is needed to explore this relationship and its implications for interventions like exercise.
Related Concept Videos
01:02Hypodermis
7.1K
The hypodermis (the subcutaneous layer or superficial fascia) is present directly below the dermis. It connects the skin to the underlying fascia (fibrous tissue) of the bones and muscles. It is not strictly a part of the skin, although the border between the hypodermis and dermis can be difficult to distinguish. The hypodermis consists of well-vascularized, loose, areolar connective tissue and adipose tissue, which functions as a mode of fat storage and provides insulation and cushioning for...
7.1K
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
3.1K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
3.1K
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
145
As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
145
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
1.2K
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
1.2K
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
120
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
120
01:24Obesity
1.0K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.0K