Sarcopenia Research Paper

14

The Open Geriatric Medicine Journal, 2008, 1, 14-23

Open Access

Sarcopenia: Current Clinical and Research Issues
Matteo Cesari*,1, Alessandro Ferrini2, Valentina Zamboni2 and Marco Pahor1
1

Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Institute on Aging, Gainesville, FL, USA

2

Department of Gerontological, Geriatric and Physiatric Sciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Abstract: Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive decline of muscle mass, strength and function. It is not due to diseases, but a normal part of the aging process, and multiple physiological and psychological factors seem to contribute to it. Sarcopenia has been associated with a higher risk of falls, incident
strength and function loss), it is still limiting the evaluation to a monodimensional approach.

Fig. (1). The bi-dimensional nature of sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia might be considered as the “muscular component” of the frailty syndrome, sharing with it the multicausal nature and the dynamic process [6]. In fact, sarcopenia is not only characterized by common features with this geriatric syndrome, such as poor endurance, physical inactivity, slow gait speed, muscle fatigability, and decreased mobility [7, 8]. It is also associated with an increased risk of several major health-related events in older persons, including physical disability and mortality [9, 10]. Besides the major clinical consequences, sarcopenia is also extremely burdensome on the health care system from an economic point of view. In fact, it has been estimated that the health care costs due to sarcopenia in the United States in 2000 were about $18.5 billion [11]. It is likely this figure will significantly increase in the next future due to the progressive aging of the population.

2008 Bentham Open

Sarcopenia: Current Clinical and Research Issues

Unfortunately, several conceptual and
A trial in patients with HIV/AIDS-related lymphoma showed reductions in fever and cachexia from anti-IL-6 therapy [57]. Unfortunately, the efficacy of such interventions is still debated and evidence largely controversial [58].
Biomarkers of oxidative damage and apoptosis. Oxidative damage biomarkers may also be useful additions in the

20 The Open Geriatric Medicine Journal, 2008, Volume 1

evaluation of skeletal muscle decline. In fact, the relationship between oxidative damage and inflammation is very close
[59]. Moreover, both these pathways have been described as interacting in several theories of aging [60, 61].
An ideal “golden triangle” of oxidative balance, in which oxidants, antioxidants and biomolecules are placed at each apex, has been described [62]. In a normal situation, a balanced-equilibrium exists among these three elements. Excess generation of free radicals may overwhelm natural cellular antioxidant defenses leading to oxidation and further contributing to muscle damage [63]. Interestingly, some studies have recently reported the association of oxidative damage biomarkers with low muscle strength [64], mortality [65], and incident mobility limitation [66, 67]. However,