Treatment of Sarcopenia 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing Interventions and Investigating Molecular Markers of Age-related Sarcopenia (The DIMMAS study)
IRAS ID
312170
Contact name
Matthew Farrow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bradford
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sarcopenia is an age-related condition affecting approximately 25% of older people and is significantly associated with frailty. The criteria for sarcopenia include low muscle mass, low physical function and low muscle strength. In addition to the loss of muscle mass, a decline in muscle quality also occurs, however the mechanisms for these changes are unknown.
Current treatment is restricted to exercise and diet. Despite exercise and a high protein diet being the principle intervention for sarcopenia, the literature on the molecular basis for sarcopenia, the best type of exercise, and other nutritional supplements is sparse. This highlights the need to study biomarkers associated with sarcopenia and the effects of exercise and additional dietary supplementation.The hypothesis of this study is that the molecular phenotype in aged muscle is different compared to young and middle-aged healthy controls, with sarcopenic muscle showing significantly increased levels of oxidative macromolecules compared to aged healthy muscle, and can therefore be used as a biomarker for sarcopenia. We also hypothesise that peripheral white blood cells may offer a less invasive assessment of RONS signalling status compared to muscle biopsies in the search for sarcopenia biomarkers. We hypothesise that nitrate/protein supplementation and exercise can positively modulate skeletal muscle function and RONS signalling throughout the life-course, and have a positive benefit in sarcopenia, Improving physical function and quality of life. Finally, we hypothesise that physiotherapy will improve features of sarcopenia.
In order to achieve these hypotheses, this project will recruit and test young, middle-aged, and older participants. This cohort will include volunteers with different levels of physical fitness, allowing assessment of the effect of physical fitness on the efficacy of nitrate/protein supplementation and exercise. The study will include functional fitness assessments, blood sampling and muscle biopsy to assess physical, anatomical, and molecular changes following each intervention.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/YH/0112
Date of REC Opinion
31 May 2022
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion