Relationship between klotho and physical function in healthy aging

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biochemistry
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Epidemiological studies link circulating Klotho to physical function, primarily in older adults with comorbidities.
• Previous research has not focused on the relationship between Klotho and physical function in healthy, community-dwelling adults across different age groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum Klotho levels and physical function in a cohort of healthy adults.
• To determine if Klotho levels differ across various age groups and correlate with specific physical performance measures.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 80 healthy adults aged 20-85 years.
• Serum Klotho levels were measured and analyzed across four age groups (20-34, 35-49, 50-64, ≥65 years).
• Physical function was assessed using grip strength, chair stand tests, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Main Results:

• Serum Klotho levels were significantly lower in the 50-64 and ≥65 years age groups compared to the 20-34 years group.
• No significant difference in Klotho levels was found between low and high physical performers.
• The ≥65 years group exhibited a shorter 6MWT distance compared to the 20-34 years group.
• Klotho levels correlated negatively with age and body fat percentage, and positively with 6MWT distance.

Conclusions:

• Circulating Klotho levels decline with age, beginning as early as the fifth decade in healthy adults.
• This decline may precede observable age-related impairments in exercise capacity.
• Klotho's association with age and physical function warrants further investigation in younger and middle-aged populations.