Myostatin/Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass (ASM) Ratio, Not Myostatin, Is Associated with Low Handgrip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Women
Soo Jeong Choi, Min Sung Lee, Duk‐Hee Kang, Gang Jee Ko, Hee‐Sook Lim, Byung Chul Yu, Moo Yong Park, Jin Kuk Kim, Chul‐Hee Kim, Seung Duk Hwang, Jun Chul Kim, Chang Won Won, Won Suk An
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elevated levels of serum myostatin have been proposed as a biomarker for sarcopenia. Recent studies have shown that elevated level of serum myostatin was associated with physical fitness and performance. This study aimed to examine the significance of myostatin in the association between muscle mass and physical performance in the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is based on the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort study involving 1053 people aged 70 years or over. Anthropometric, physical performance, and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS: < 0.001) were higher compared with that in women. Serum myostatin level was associated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) index and eGFR by cystatin C. Serum myostatin/ASM ratio was associated with handgrip strength in women. CONCLUSION: Higher serum myostatin levels were related with higher muscle mass and better physical performances in the elderly. Serum myostatin/ASM ratio may be a predictor for physical performance rather than myostatin.