Metabolites Associated with Walking Ability Among the Oldest Old from the CHS All Stars Study

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Low walking ability is highly prevalent with advancing age and predicts major health outcomes. Metabolomics may help to better characterize differences in walking ability among older adults, providing insight into potentially altered molecular processes underlying age-related decline in functioning. We sought to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with high versus low walking ability among 120 participants ages 79-95 from the CHS All Stars study. METHODS: Using a nested case-control design, 60 randomly selected participants with low walking ability were matched one-to-one on age, gender, race, and fasting time with 60 participants with high walking ability. High versus low walking ability was defined as being in the best versus worst tertiles for both gait speed (≥0.9 vs <0.7 m/s) and the Walking Ability Index (7-9 vs 0-1). Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 569 metabolites were identified in overnight-fasting plasma. RESULTS: Ninety-six metabolites were associated with walking ability, where 24% were triacylglycerols. Triacylglycerols that were higher among those with high walking ability consisted mostly of polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas triacylglycerols that were lower among those with high walking ability consisted mostly of saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids. Body composition partly explained associations between some metabolites and walking ability. Proline and arginine metabolism was a top pathway associated with walking ability. CONCLUSION: These results may partly reflect pathways of modifiable risk factors, including excess dietary lipids and lack of physical activity, contributing to obesity and further alterations in metabolic pathways that lead to age-related decline in walking ability in this older adult cohort.

Source: The Journals of Gerontology Series A

DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glaa030

Authors: Megan M Marron, Stacy G Wendell, Robert M Boudreau, Clary B Clish, Adam J Santanasto, George C Tseng, Joseph M Zmuda, Anne B Newman

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, Broad Institute

Language: English

Topic: Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Pittsburgh, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

OpenAlex ID: W3002832137