To date, most research investigating the influence of circulating sex hormones on ageing female skeletal muscle has been cross-sectional and focused only on dichotomised young and old, or pre- versus post-menopausal groups. This excludes an important transitional period from high to low circulating oestrogen. Using secondary data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, this study aimed to investigate

BackgroundBoth longitudinal and cross‐sectional studies have demonstrated that muscle mass, strength and power are lost with ageing. Although longitudinal studies have shown changes in muscle morphology and function in sedentary, healthy active and endurance‐trained older people, less is known about such age‐related changes in sprint athletes. It has been proposed that active older people may provide

BackgroundWe recently demonstrated that following a 10‐day exposure to inactivity/simulated microgravity impairments of oxidative metabolism were located ‘upstream’ of mitochondrial function, as evaluated by maximal ADP‐stimulated mitochondrial respiration (JO2max) determined ex vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate mitochondrial sensitivity to submaximal [ADP] by an alternative approach aimed

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are rare disorders characterized by progressive muscle fibre loss, leading to replacement by fibrotic and fatty tissue, muscle weakness and disability. Early diagnosis is critical for therapeutic decisions, care planning and genetic counselling. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool by identifying characteristic patterns of muscle

No abstract is available for this article.

IntroductionSarcopenia is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle function and mass. Nicotinamide precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR), have received attention for their potential to improve NAD+ levels and mitigate age‐related sarcopenia in preliminary models, though evidence on their effects in older adults remains inconclusive.MethodsWe searched

BackgroundWalking speed is a reliable marker of sarcopenia and a strong predictor of mortality, but its relationship with cancer incidence remains largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the association between walking speed and the risk of any cancer and five common cancers, including lung, breast, colorectum, prostate, and stomach, and to explore potential mediation by biomarkers of inflammation

BackgroundCompensated cirrhosis due to metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (CC‐MASLD) increases morbidity and mortality risk but has no aetiology‐specific treatment. We investigated the safety and efficacy signals of severe energy restriction.MethodsIn this randomised controlled trial, adults with CC‐MASLD and obesity in a tertiary hepatology centre were randomised 2:1 to receive

BackgroundOestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and regulating metabolism in skeletal muscle. However, its alterations and potential mechanisms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) remain incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated the protective role of ERα in myocyte for skeletal muscle regeneration in mdx mice and explored the therapeutic

BackgroundThe Popeye domain containing 3 (POPDC3) protein is essential for the maintenance of skeletal muscle homeostasis. POPDC3 is a pathogenic variant gene of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), and its variants lead to LGMDR26. At the animal level, zebrafish larvae with popdc3 mutations develop tail curls and muscle atrophy. However, the mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy induced by POPDC3

BackgroundTranscriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) is a negative regulator of TGF‐β1 signalling and has been associated with patient survival in renal cell carcinoma. However, its role in diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly in diabetic nephropathy (DN), remains unclear. DN is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated the potential role of TIF1γ in mitigating multiple

To the Editors of the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle It is estimated that around 10% of people infected with COVID-19 continue to struggle with permanent or new symptoms even months after the acute illness [1]. One of the most severe forms of this Long Covid syndrome is known as myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This is a neuroimmunological disease with a prevalence

BackgroundMaternal prepregnancy obesity predisposes offspring to obesity and metabolic disorders, yet its impact on skeletal muscle fibre transition remains unclear. Given that skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in systemic metabolism, we investigated how maternal prepregnancy high‐fat diet (HFD) influences muscle fibre composition and metabolic function in offspring.MethodsWe established mouse models

BackgroundPhysical exercise has beneficial effects on various organs, including skeletal muscle. However, not all patients are capable of engaging in exercise to maintain muscle function, which underscores the importance of identifying molecular mechanisms of physical training that could lead to the discovery of exercise‐mimicking molecules.MethodsThis study sought to identify molecular mediators of

BackgroundMind–body exercise (MBE) has shown promise in mitigating the effects of sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. Nevertheless, its effectiveness in enhancing muscle function and physical performance in this population has not been well established. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MBE on older adults with sarcopenia and frailty, to offer evidence‐based exercise recommendations

BackgroundQuantitative muscle MRI commonly evaluates disease activity and muscle wasting in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Disturbances in ion homeostasis contribute to DMD pathophysiology, but their relationships with disease progression is unclear. 23Na MRI may provide insights into the disease course and treatment response. This longitudinal study assessed whether sodium levels are elevated

BackgroundEstimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is a simple and effective measure for insulin resistance, which is associated with higher risk of frailty. We aim to analyse the associations of eGDR with frailty risk and its reversibility.MethodsA population‐based longitudinal study was conducted of 11 670 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and 19 355 participants

We write to highlight a potential issue in the estimation of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) in studies based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). In recent years, numerous studies based on the CHARLS database have been published, with a significant number focusing on sarcopenia. A PubMed search reveals that over 94 sarcopenia-related articles based on CHARLS data

BackgroundRecent findings have spotlighted sarcopenia as a critical factor exacerbating cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients. However, no studies have investigated the relationship of muscle characteristics with thoracic aortic calcification (TAC). We explored whether skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) are associated with TAC in dialysis patients.MethodsIn this study

I read with great interest the article ‘Risk of Sarcopenia Following Long-Term Statin Use in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Japan’ by Huang et al. [1]. Although the study addresses a topic of significant clinical relevance, I would like to express concerns regarding two critical methodological aspects that may affect the internal validity of the findings. First, the article reported

BackgroundEvidence suggests that high body fat and low muscle mass may increase the risk of fragility fractures. However, current fracture risk models, which largely rely on body mass index (BMI), may not fully capture these compositional factors. We recommend integrating additional body composition variables into fracture risk calculators to improve accuracy. Previously, we described partial body

Older adults typically exhibit reductions in skeletal muscle maximal strength and the ability to produce force rapidly. These reductions are often augmented by concomitant acute and chronic diseases, resulting in attenuated physical performance and higher propensity of falls and injuries. With the proportion of older adults in the population increasing, there is an alarming need for cost‐effective

BackgroundCancer cachexia, affecting up to 80% of patients with cancer, is characterized by muscle and fat loss with functional decline. Preclinical research seeks to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying cachexia to identify potential targets. Housing laboratory mice at ambient temperature induces cold stress, triggering thermogenic activity and metabolic adaptations. Yet, the impact of housing

BackgroundGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumour in adults. Patients with GBM are particularly susceptible to moderate‐to‐high frail. Frailty status has been associated with the outcome of many types of cancer, including GBM, although there is still little consensus regarding the specific criteria for assessing frailty status. This study aimed to determine the predictive

BackgroundDespite the high prevalence of malnutrition in acutely ill older patients, nutritional status is rarely assessed in emergency departments (EDs), and the impact of nutritional risk screening on functional recovery is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional parameters and a range of outcomes in older patients admitted through the ED.MethodsA prospective

BackgroundAlthough sarcopenia and insulin resistance are closely related, there is limited evidence regarding how they interact to influence mortality across different population groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance and its impact on mortality and cardiovascular disease risk using large‐scale national data from Korea and

We read with great interest the recent article by Fujie et al. [1] published in your esteemed journal. The study provides valuable insights into the effects of moderate-to-high-intensity resistance training (RT) combined with high-protein intake (steamed chicken breast) on arterial stiffness, muscle mass, strength and quality in elderly women. However, we would like to highlight several limitations

BackgroundG protein–coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) acts as a modulator of various physiological functions, including glycaemic lowering, anti‐inflammation and antioxidative stress, in several tissues. However, the role of GPR40 in skeletal muscles remains unclear.MethodsTo investigate the roles of muscle GPR40, C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes were stimulated with palmitate and HD6277, a GPR40 agonist. Muscle

BackgroundSkeletal muscle function and mass continuously decrease during aging. Most studies target limb muscles owing to their direct impact on mobility and falls risk. The diaphragm (DIA), also a type of skeletal muscle with different phenotype, has received less attention. Comparative research of the DIA and limb muscles can reveal their distinct aging characteristics. Critically, the potential

BackgroundNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may influence musculoskeletal health. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three different NSAIDS: naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen or a placebo on musculoskeletal adaptations in rodents with or without 6 weeks of aerobic exercise.MethodsNine‐week‐old male Wistar rats (n = 80) were randomized to either exercise (EX)

BackgroundFasting shows promise for public health, but concerns about muscle loss hinder its acceptance, particularly among the elderly. We explored the impact of long‐term fasting (12 days, 250 kcal/day) on muscle structure, metabolism and performance.MethodsWe prospectively assessed muscle volume, composition, relaxometry data and lipid metabolism in 32 subjects (16 men; 50% over 50 years old) before

BackgroundAge‐related primary sarcopenia and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD)–related muscle wasting are discrete entities; however, both manifest as a decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength. The etiological pathways differ, with aging factors implicated in sarcopenia and a combination of uremic factors, including haemodialysis, contributing to ESRD‐related muscle wasting. Understanding these molecular

BackgroundWeight loss achieved via energy restriction leads to significant losses in muscle and bone mass, potentially increasing risk for sarcopenia and osteoporosis. High‐intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) might attenuate weight loss–induced musculoskeletal declines. Our objective was to compare changes in physical function and body composition in older adults with obesity undertaking

BackgroundLoss of skeletal muscle mass and systemic inflammation may offer prognostic value in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The longitudinal progression of abnormal body composition parameters and their determinants is poorly reported. Statins are widely used medications that improve the prognosis of cardiovascular disease and interact with both muscle tissue and systemic inflammation

BackgroundMultiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy. The predominantly older patients often suffer from comorbidities that impair their quality of life (QoL). Physical activity (PA) can be beneficial for cancer patients, but less evidence exists in MM. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared an exercise group with World Health Organization (WHO)–compliant PA

BackgroundCisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid tumours. Still, it induces severe side effects, including muscle atrophy. Understanding the mechanisms of cisplatin‐induced muscle loss and exploring potential therapeutic strategies are essential. Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the striatum play a crucial role in motor control, and recent studies suggest that their activation

BackgroundLittle is known about the joint associations between trajectories of frailty and depression with cognitive function. This study aims to explore the multitrajectories of frailty and depression and their joint impact on cognition.MethodsA total of 8600 participants from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (1996–2018) were analysed using a group‐based trajectory model for 10‐year multitrajectories

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that dietary choline is a modifiable nutritional factor linked to various health outcomes. However, most existing studies have focused on isolated health conditions, lacking a comprehensive assessment of overall health status. This study aimed to investigate the association between total dietary choline intake and frailty incidence among Chinese adults, considering

BackgroundHealthy ageing relies on maintaining physiological systems, particularly the musculoskeletal system (MKS). After 50, declines in bone density, muscle mass and strength increase the risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia, leading to frailty, fractures and higher healthcare costs. Osteosarcopenia, combining osteoporosis and sarcopenia, is rising because of the ageing population. Chronic kidney

BackgroundThere is a dearth of screening tools for cardiorespiratory disease and fracture risk, such as risk prediction models, for adults with cerebral palsy (CP). There is heterogeneity of pathophysiology related to the severity of CP and aging, such that a suite of risk prediction models may be needed. Differentiating by sarcopenia versus frailty syndromes may be a useful, physiologic‐based framework

BackgroundCachexia is a severe form of muscle wasting disorder particularly observed in patients with advanced cancer. The absence of effective strategies to ameliorate cachexia indicates our poor understanding of the mechanisms of cachexia. By employing system‐wide approaches, we investigated molecular mechanisms underlying cancer secreted pro‐inflammatory cytokine‐induced cachexia (CIC).MethodsAs

BackgroundProgrammed cell death plays a critical role in skeletal muscle atrophy. Ferroptosis, an iron‐dependent form of programmed cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in various diseases, but its role in skeletal muscle atrophy remains unclear.MethodsFerroptosis in skeletal muscle atrophy was investigated using two models: dexamethasone (Dex)‐induced atrophy (n = 6 independent

BackgroundAround 80% of patients with advanced cancer have cancer cachexia (CC), a serious complication for which there are currently no FDA‐approved treatments. Nuciferine (NF) is the main active ingredient of lotus leaf, which has anti‐inflammatory, anti‐tumour and other effects. The purpose of this work was to explore the target and mechanism of NF in preventing cancer cachexia‐induced muscle atrophy

BackgroundVisceral obesity (VO), associated with excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT), has been extensively studied in cancer. However, whether low VAT can predict the prognosis of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains unknown.MethodsThis multicentre real‐world cohort study analysed data from initially resectable CRLM patients who received NAC. The

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of five cardiometabolic risk factors that typically worsen with age. One exercise‐training programme is effective at improving those factors in middle‐aged individuals with MetS. To our knowledge, exercise‐training efficacy as MetS individuals age has not been explored. This study determined the effectiveness of a periodized exercise training programme for

BackgroundGlucocorticoid therapy has a beneficial effect in several diseases, but chronic treatment has adverse effects, including muscle atrophy, which refers to the gradual decrease in muscle mass, size and strength. It is important to know how the muscle atrophy occurs, but the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. This study shows that dexamethasone decreases levels of the transcriptional

BackgroundFalls constitute a significant public health concern among older adults, particularly those with diminished muscle health integrity. The relative contributions of reduced muscle mass versus impaired muscle function to fall risk remain debated. Discrepant conclusions in previous studies exist due to divergent muscle health categorizations and parameter measurements. This study investigated

BackgroundMaternal obesity (MO) impairs fetal skeletal muscle development, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. The regulatory roles of lncRNA H19 and its first exon derived microRNA675 (miR675) in prenatal muscle development remain to be examined. H19/Igf2 are in the same imprinting cluster with H19 expressed from the maternal allele while Igf2 expresses paternally. H19 contains a

BackgroundAs society ages, identifying individuals at risk of sarcopenia becomes essential. Several plasma biomarkers are used to assess musculoskeletal status, but their results are inconsistent. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are investigated as disease biomarkers due to their role in transporting molecules and influencing cellular processes. This study investigated the correlation of known sarcopenia

BackgroundLow serum vitamin D status was reported to be associated with reduced muscle mass; however, it is inconclusive whether this relationship is causal. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to ascertain the causal relationship between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and appendicular muscle

BackgroundAdditional tools are needed to assess mortality risk among patients with cancer. Patients with chronic graft vs. host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) represent a high‐risk cancer population with mortality risk explained by cGVHD severity, but also informed by baseline comorbidities, functional status before and after HCT, and cumulative toxicity

Gupta, P, Vu, TA, Man, REK, et al., The prevalence patterns and risk factor profiles of poor muscle health and its associated components in multiethnic older Asians: The PIONEER study. Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle. Aug 2024; 15(4): 1376–1387. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13483 In the Funding ‘section’, we would like to add: “This research is supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC)

BackgroundThe existing diagnostic criteria for cancer cachexia do not meet clinical needs. We aimed to establish novel comprehensive evaluation scales for cachexia specific to patients with solid tumours.MethodsThis study included 12 651 patients (males: 6793 [53.7%]; females: 5858 [46.3%]; medium age: 58 [interquartile range:50/66] years; medium follow‐up duration: 24.16 [13.32/44.84] months; 4271

BackgroundCell–cell crosstalk between myogenic, adipogenic and immune cells in skeletal muscle to regulate energy metabolism and lipid deposition has received considerable attention. The specific mechanisms of interaction between the different cells in skeletal muscle are still unclear.MethodsUsing integrated analysis of snRNA‐seq and spatial transcriptome, the gene expression profile of longissimus

BackgroundA significant increase in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is now increasingly recognized as one of the metabolic alterations in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial FAO impairment in DCM remain to be fully elucidated.MethodsA type 2 diabetes (T2D) mouse model was established by a combination of high‐fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin

BackgroundTreatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has shifted from tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–based therapy, improving outcomes but with variable individual responses. This study investigated the prognostic implications of pretreatment low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) and myosteatosis in patients with mRCC undergoing first‐line ICI‐based

BackgroundSarcopenia presents a pressing public health concern due to its association with age‐related muscle mass decline, strength loss and reduced physical performance, particularly in the growing older population. Given the absence of approved pharmacological therapies for sarcopenia, the need to discover effective pharmacological interventions has become critical.MethodsTo address this challenge

We are grateful for the interest of Dr Wang et al. [1] in our study. Their letter raises several important points, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to address them. As Wang G et al. note, the UK Biobank does include accelerometer-measured physical activity data. However, these measurements were collected in a subset of participants (< 100 000) at a single time point, 8–10 years after the

We appreciate the interest and insightful comments by Kamiliou et al. [1] regarding our recently published study [2]. Our work incorporated 756 participants from 3 transplant centres and identified that pre-transplant myosteatosis aggravated the adverse impact of sarcopenia on liver transplant outcomes in male patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In terms of the prevalence of myosteatosis

BackgroundNumerous studies support the association of exercise training, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with both mortality and morbidity outcomes. The results across studies have been inconsistent, and no umbrella reviews have yet been conducted on this topic.MethodsWe conducted an umbrella review of meta‐analyses of observational studies by screening articles in PubMed/MEDLINE