Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Segmentation and Linear Measurement for Body Composition Analysis using Slice-O-Matic and Horos
Published on: March 21, 2021
Frequently Reported Blood Biomarkers in Sarcopenia Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Emma Calluy1,2,3, Yveline Malrechauffé4, Emma Boretti4
1Public Health Aging Research & Epidemiology (PHARE) Group, Research Unit in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (URPC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), Department of Biomedical Sciences-Faculty of Medicine, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
This review found few muscle-specific blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) in sarcopenia trials. Interventions showed limited impact on most BBMs, highlighting a need for standardized biomarker assessment in sarcopenia management.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Exercise Science
- Biomarker Discovery and Validation
- Clinical Trial Methodology
Background:
- Sarcopenia management research often lacks standardized assessment of blood-based biomarkers (BBMs).
- Identifying frequently reported BBMs and their response to interventions is crucial for advancing sarcopenia care.
- Current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show variability in BBM assessment, hindering comparative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most frequently reported BBMs in RCTs for sarcopenia management.
- To evaluate the impact of sarcopenia interventions on BBM concentrations.
- To highlight the need for standardized BBM assessment in future sarcopenia research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published until March 2024.
- Inclusion criteria: older adults with sarcopenia, consensus definition, pre- and post-intervention BBM values.
- Meta-analyses performed for BBMs reported in ≥2 RCTs using a random effects model (Standardized Mean Difference).
Main Results:
- Only 21 of 58 (36.2%) sarcopenia RCTs assessed BBMs; none involved pharmacological interventions.
- 47 distinct BBMs were identified; C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were most frequent.
- Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) showed a significant increase with interventions (SMD=0.46), but this was not significant when restricted to studies with improved sarcopenia measures.
Conclusions:
- Few muscle-specific BBMs are assessed in sarcopenia RCTs, and limited biomarkers respond to interventions.
- There is an urgent need for standardized recommendations on assessing muscle-specific BBMs in sarcopenia RCTs.
- Developing a standardized Core Outcome Set for sarcopenia intervention studies is essential for improving disease management.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...