BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the reduced production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) may be partially responsible for the decline of muscle strength and mass that often occurs with aging. However, this hypothesis has been only tested in small series of normal volunteers, with little consideration for potential confounders. Using data from a representative sample of 558 men (20-95 years) we tested the hypothesis that circulating DHEAS is independently associated with muscle strength and mass. METHODS: Data are from InCHIANTI, an epidemiological study conducted in the Chianti geographic area (Tuscany, Italy). DHEAS serum levels were related to lower extremity muscle strength assessed by hand-held dynamometry and calf muscle area estimated from quantitative computerized tomography. Confounders included age, anthropometrics, physical activity, smoking, energy and alcohol intake, albumin, lipids, interleukin-6, comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and disability in activities of daily living. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models predicting lower extremity muscle strength and calf muscle area, we found significant age*log DHEAS interactions, suggesting that the relationship between DHEAS levels and muscle parameters differs across the life span. In age-stratified models adjusted for confounders, serum DHEAS was an independent predictor of muscle strength (p <.02) and mass (p <.01), but only for men between 60 and 79 years of age. After adjusting these models for serum-free or bioavailable testosterone, results were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In men aged 60-79 years, circulating DHEAS is an independent correlate of muscle strength and calf muscle area. The possible causal role of declining DHEAS in age-related sarcopenia should be further explored in longitudinal studies.
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the reduced production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) may be partially responsible for the decline of muscle strength and mass that often occurs with aging. However, this hypothesis has been only tested in small series of normal volunteers, with little consideration for potential confounders. Using data from a representative sample of 558 men (20-95 years) we tested the hypothesis that circulating DHEAS is independently associated with muscle strength and mass. METHODS: Data are from InCHIANTI, an epidemiological study conducted in the Chianti geographic area (Tuscany, Italy). DHEAS serum levels were related to lower extremity muscle strength assessed by hand-held dynamometry and calf muscle area estimated from quantitative computerized tomography. Confounders included age, anthropometrics, physical activity, smoking, energy and alcohol intake, albumin, lipids, interleukin-6, comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and disability in activities of daily living. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models predicting lower extremity muscle strength and calf muscle area, we found significant age*log DHEAS interactions, suggesting that the relationship between DHEAS levels and muscle parameters differs across the life span. In age-stratified models adjusted for confounders, serum DHEAS was an independent predictor of muscle strength (p <.02) and mass (p <.01), but only for men between 60 and 79 years of age. After adjusting these models for serum-free or bioavailable testosterone, results were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In men aged 60-79 years, circulating DHEAS is an independent correlate of muscle strength and calf muscle area. The possible causal role of declining DHEAS in age-related sarcopenia should be further explored in longitudinal studies.
Authors: Marcello Maggio; Gian Paolo Ceda; Fulvio Lauretani; Stefania Bandinelli; E Jeffrey Metter; Andrea Artoni; Elisa Gatti; Carmelinda Ruggiero; Jack M Guralnik; Giorgio Valenti; Shari M Ling; Shehzad Basaria; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2008-12-02 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Anne B Newman; Jason L Sanders; Jorge R Kizer; Robert M Boudreau; Michelle C Odden; Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri; Alice M Arnold Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2016-06-06 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Marcello Maggio; Fulvio Lauretani; Gian Paolo Ceda; Stefania Bandinelli; Shehzad Basaria; Alessandro Ble; Josephine Egan; Giuseppe Paolisso; Samer Najjar; E Jeffrey Metter; Giorgio Valenti; Jack M Guralnik; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Marcello Maggio; Fulvio Lauretani; Gian Paolo Ceda; Stefania Bandinelli; Shari M Ling; E Jeffrey Metter; Andrea Artoni; Laura Carassale; Anna Cazzato; Graziano Ceresini; Jack M Guralnik; Shehzad Basaria; Giorgio Valenti; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2007-11-12
Authors: M Maggio; F Lauretani; S Basaria; G P Ceda; S Bandinelli; E J Metter; A J Bos; C Ruggiero; G Ceresini; G Paolisso; A Artoni; G Valenti; J M Guralnik; L Ferrucci Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 4.256