Aims- Aim 1. To develop a metabolite profile of muscle function in a cross-sectional analysis of middle and older aged adults. Aim 2: To validate metabolite profiles of muscle function that are predictive of muscle function change over time.
Scientific rationale- Sarcopenia is a condition that may occur with aging that results in muscle weakness and loss. Weak and smaller muscles are linked to an increased risk in disability, chronic disease and mortality. Sarcopenia is treated with physical activity and exercise. The focus only on activity suggests that each person can control whether their muscles get smaller and weaker. We believe that muscle strength and size are not only impacted my activity, but metabolism as well. Our goal is to identify metabolic markers from people who appear healthy but demonstrate either poor, average, or good muscle function. If metabolic disturbances can be identified during middle age, it can then help prevent changes with aging. Muscle function is difficult to fully characterize given 600 muscles uniquely responding to lifestyle choices, aging, disease, pharmacology and inter-organ and tissue crosstalk such as with liver, bone, and heart. Therefore, we are utilizing a systemic approach by analyzing blood metabolites of individuals with above average, average, and below average muscle function between age categories of 40-59 and >60 years old. The metabolic profile will identify those who are at risk and should be intervened at an earlier timepoint in future studies. Collectively, this data will establish multiple proposals that will identify those who are at long-term risk for muscle dysfunction and to personalize exercise prescription in future studies.
Expected duration of project- 2 years
Public health impact of the work- Identifying metabolic contributions to poor muscle health can provide direction on how to best manage physical activity and other factors such as nutrition and nutraceuticals.