Estimated appendicular skeletal muscle mass using calf circumference and mortality: Results from the aging and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study).

OBJECTIVE: Low muscle mass is one of the mediators of numerous complications accompanying malnutrition status and sarcopenia and at the same time may have a greater effect on survival than other clinical characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the impact of low appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) on all-cause mortality risk over 10 years in older community-dwellers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: All persons aged 80+ years living in the community of the Sirente geographic area (L'Aquila, Italy) (n = 364). Participants were categorised in low or normal ASM based on the COONUT equation that considered calf circumference, age and gender. PRIMARY OUTCOME: All-cause mortality over 10 years according to the low ASM estimated by calf circumference. RESULTS: Low estimated ASM was identified in 128 participants (37 %). A total of 245 deaths were recorded over 10 years: 110 among participants with low ASM (85.3 %) and 135 among persons with normal ASM (65.1 %; p < 0.001). Participants with low ASM had a higher risk of death than those with normal ASM (HR: 3.38; 95 % CI: 1.93-5.93). This association remained statistically significant after adjusting for a number of potential confounders, such as age, gender, ADL impairment, cognitive impairment, BMI, and plasma CRP and IL6 levels (HR: 1.84; 95 % CI: 1.03-3.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that low estimated ASM by calf circumference is predictive of 10 years mortality in older community-dwellers. The derived equation used in the present study to estimate ASM, based on calf circumference, may be particularly relevant in clinical practice. Hence, in older persons with low ASM, interventions targeting muscle mass may be effective at preventing or postponing negative health outcomes.

Effects of a New Combination of Medical Food on Endothelial Function and Lipid Profile in Dyslipidemic Subjects: A Pilot Randomized Trial.

Nutritional approaches to improve dyslipidemias have been recently developed, but evidences on different medical foods are often incomplete. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the effects on endothelial function, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism of two different combinations of nutraceuticals, first one containing Bergavit (200 mg Citrus bergamia), Omega-3 (400 mg), Crominex 3+ (10 mcg trivalent chromium), and red yeast rice (100 mg; 5 mg monacolin K) and second one containing red yeast rice (200 mg; 3 mg monacolin K), Berberine (500 mg), Astaxanthin (0.5 mg), folic acid (200 mcg), Coenzyme Q10 (2 mg), and Policosanol (10 mg). Fifty subjects affected by dyslipidemia not requiring statin treatment were enrolled in this randomized, blind, controlled trial and submitted to blood sampling for lipid and glucose profiles and instrumental evaluation of endothelial function before and after 6 weeks of treatment with nutraceuticals. Both nutraceutical combinations improved the lipid profile; the nutraceutical containing 5 mg of monacolin K, 200 mg of the extract Citrus bergamia, 400 mg of Omega-3, and 10 mcg of trivalent chromium entailed a significant improvement of endothelial function with enhanced cholesterol lowering effect. In conclusion, this study confirms the positive effect of functional food on lipid profile and endothelial function in absence of major undesirable effects.