Altered plasma omega-3 fatty acids and nutritional status are associated with SARC-F based sarcopenia risk assessment...

This study aimed to assess nutritional status, analyze fatty acid profile, evaluate oxidative stress markers, and examine their associations with sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular disease. Ninety-five adults over 60 years old with diagnosed CVD were enrolled. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire dividing patients into two groups: SARC-F- and SARC-F+. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®). Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) reflects adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet. Sarcopenia risk was identified in 56.84% of participants. Participants at risk of sarcopenia had significantly poorer nutritional status (p = 0.001) and lower MDS (p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed in saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas trans fatty acids and total omega-3 fatty acids, particularly C18:3 ω-3, were elevated in the SARC-F+ group (p = 0.009, 0.005 and 0.009 respectively). Logistic regression identified age, diabetes, poor nutritional status, and elevated omega-3 fatty acids and GPx as significant predictors of sarcopenia, with an inverse association for MDS and GSH. Elevated omega-3 fatty acid levels were associated with sarcopenia independently of age, sex, diabetes, and nutritional status, but this association appeared to be influenced by MDS, GPx and GSH. More else omega-3 fatty acids were positively associated with GPx (β = 0.117; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with GSH (β = -3.486; p = 0.01) only in patients without sarcopenia. These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and sarcopenia and may inform future nutritional strategies for its prevention.