Reduced plasma concentration of branched-chain amino acids in sarcopenic older subjects: a cross-sectional study
Ottestad, Inger; Ulven, Stine Marie; Øyri, Linn Kristin Lie; Sandvei, Kristin Søfteland; Gjevestad, Gyrd Omholt; Bye, Asta; Sheikh, Navida Akhter; Biong, Anne Sofie; Andersen, Lene Frost; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund
Journal article, Peer reviewed
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Date
2018-06-18Metadata
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Ottestad I, Ulven S, Øyri LKØ, Sandvei KS, Gjevestad GOG, Bye A, Sheikh NA, Biong AS, Andersen LF, Holven KB. Reduced plasma concentration of branched-chain amino acids in sarcopenic older subjects: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Nutrition. 2018;120(4):445-453 https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114518001307Abstract
Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids necessary for muscle mass
maintenance. Little is known about the plasma concentrations of BCAAs and the protein
intake in relation to sarcopenia. We aimed to compare the non-fasting plasma concentrations
of the BCAAs and the dietary protein intake between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic older
adults. Norwegian older home-dwelling adults (≥ 70 years) were invited to a cross-sectional
study with no other exclusion criteria than age. Sarcopenic subjects were defined by the
diagnostic criteria by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Non-
fasting plasma concentrations of eight amino acids were quantified using nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Protein intake was assessed using 2 x 24-h dietary recalls. In
this study, 90 out of 417 subjects (22 %) were sarcopenic, and more women (32 %) than men
(11 %) were sarcopenic (P < 0.0001). Gender-adjusted non-fasting plasma concentrations of
leucine and isoleucine, and the absolute intake of protein (g/d) were significantly lower
among the sarcopenic subjects, when compared to nonsarcopenic subjects (P = 0.003, P =
0.026 and P = 0.003, respectively). A similar protein intake was observed in the two groups
when adjusted for body weight and gender (1.1 g protein/kg BW/d; P = 0.50). We show that
sarcopenia is associated with reduced non-fasting plasma concentration of the BCAAs leucine
and isoleucine, and lower absolute intake of protein. More studies are needed to clarify the
clinical relevance of these findings, related to maintenance of muscle mass and prevention of
sarcopenia.