• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.43-51
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical condition that combines sarcopenia and obesity. This study examined the frequency of SO in young Korean females between 20 and 29 years of age. METHODS: The study involved 1,000 participants. The height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, alcohol consumption, and smoking status were the research variables. The skeletal muscle mass index was calculated as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) divided by the BMI. The ASM was assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Complex sampling analysis and multiple logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: A .74(.30-1.80) frequency of SO was observed. The statistically significant risk factors in females were height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Young Korean adults with SO have a .74(.30-1.80) frequency of occurrence that is linked to specific risk factors. Hence, primary care clinicians and health care professionals should consider these factors when patients require a referral for early detection and treatment. Healthcare professionals and clinicians can identify potential SO patients by acknowledging these risk factors.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.63-78
• /
• 1998

The decrease of muscle power and muscle size between twenties and seventies was about 30% and 40% respectively. The loss of muscle mass by aging resulted in the decrease of muscle power. The loss of muscle mass was due to the decrease of number of Type I fiber and Type II fiber and size of each muscle fiber. The aging skeletal muscle didn't show the loss of glycolysis capacity but showed 20% decrease of the oxidative enzymes and muscle vascularization. The vigorous endurance exercise training with graded intensity played a role in the vascular proliferation, increase of activity of oxidative enzymes and improvement of $VO_2$ max. The graded resistance exercise also played a role in the muscle hypertrophy and increase of muscle power, if it performed with adequate intensity and period. The exercise adaptation of aging skeletal muscle prevented it from sarcopenia, provided the activity of daily living with great effect and provided the aging related disease, that is Type II diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity, with great effect.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.7
• /
• pp.365-373
• /
• 2023

Loss of skeletal muscle mass is a primary feature of sarcopenia and cancer cachexia. In cancer patients, tumor-derived inflammatory factors promote muscle atrophy via tumor-to-muscle effects, which is closely associated with poor prognosis. During the past decade, skeletal muscle has been considered to function as an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine organ by releasing numerous myokines. The circulating myokines can modulate pathophysiology in the other organs, as well as in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting myokines function as muscle-to-tumor signaling molecules. Here, we highlight the roles of myokines in tumorigenesis, particularly in terms of crosstalk between skeletal muscle and tumor. Better understanding of tumor-to-muscle and muscle-to-tumor effects will shed light on novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.454-463
• /
• 2022

Background: Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), a non-saponin fraction of ginseng, is a novel glycolipoprotein rich in hydrophobic amino acids. GEF has recently been shown to regulate lipid metabolism and browning in adipocytes; however, the mechanisms underlying its effects on energy metabolism and whether it affects sarcopenic obesity are unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of GEF on skeletal muscle atrophy in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: To examine the effect of GEF on sarcopenic obesity, 4-week-old male ICR mice were used. The mice were divided into four groups: chow diet (CD), HFD, HFD supplemented with 50 mg/kg/day GEF, or 150 mg/kg/day GEF for 6 weeks. We analyzed body mass gain and grip strength, histological staining, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence to quantify changes in sarcopenic obesity-related factors. Results: GEF inhibited body mass gain while HFD-fed mice gained 22.7 ± 2.0 g, whereas GEF-treated mice gained 14.3 ± 1.2 g for GEF50 and 11.8 ± 1.6 g for GEF150 by downregulating adipogenesis and inducing lipolysis and browning in white adipose tissue (WAT). GEF also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis threefold in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, GEF-treated skeletal muscle exhibited decreased expression of muscle-specific atrophic genes, and promoted myogenic differentiation and increased muscle mass and strength in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that GEF may have potential uses in preventing sarcopenic obesity by promoting energy expenditure and attenuating skeletal muscle atrophy.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.64-69
• /
• 2019

The loss of skeletal muscle, called sarcopenia, is an inevitable event during the aging process, and significantly impacts quality of life. Autophagy is known to reduce muscle atrophy caused by dysfunctional organelles, even though the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we have discuss the current understanding of exercise-induced autophagy activation in skeletal muscle regeneration and remodeling, leading to sarcopenia intervention. With aging, dysregulation of autophagy flux inhibits lysosomal storage processes involved in muscle biogenesis. AMPK-ULK1 and the $FoxO/PGC-1{\alpha}$ signaling pathways play a critical role in the induction of autophagy machinery in skeletal muscle, thus these pathways could be targets for therapeutics development. Autophagy has been also shown to be a critical regulator of stem cell fate, which determines satellite cell differentiation into muscle fiber, thereby increasing muscle mass. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the physiological role of autophagy in skeletal muscle aging and sarcopenia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.573-582
• /
• 2023

Muscle atrophy is characterized by the loss of muscle function. Many efforts are being made to prevent muscle atrophy, and exercise is an important alternative. Methylglyoxal is a well-known causative agent of metabolic diseases and diabetic complications. This study aimed to evaluate whether methylglyoxal induces muscle atrophy and to evaluate the ameliorative effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in a methylglyoxal-induced muscle atrophy animal model. Each mouse was randomly divided into three groups: control, methylglyoxal-treated, and methylglyoxal-treated within aerobic exercise. In the exercise group, each mouse was trained on a treadmill for 2 weeks. On the last day, all groups were evaluated for several atrophic behaviors and skeletal muscles, including the soleus, plantaris, gastrocnemius, and extensor digitorum longus were analyzed. In the exercise group, muscle mass was restored, causing in attenuation of muscle atrophy. The gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus muscles showed improved fiber cross-sectional area and reduced myofibrils. Further, they produced regulated atrophy-related proteins (i.e., muscle atrophy F-box, muscle RING-finger protein-1, and myosin heavy chain), indicating that aerobic exercise stimulated their muscle sensitivity to reverse skeletal muscle atrophy. In conclusion, shortness of the gastrocnemius caused by methylglyoxal may induce the dynamic imbalance of skeletal muscle atrophy, thus methylglyoxal may be a key target for treating skeletal muscle atrophy. To this end, aerobic exercise may be a powerful tool for regulating methylglyoxal-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.581-592
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated major dietary patterns among healthy Korean adults using cluster analysis and analyzed the relationship between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: This study was conducted using the data from the 2008 ~ 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. The data of 7,922 subjects aged 30 years and over, without any missing values, were included in the final analysis. K-means cluster analyses were conducted to identify the dietary patterns of the study subjects, which were based on the energy intake from 21 food groups using a 24-h recall method. The changes in energy intake with each dietary pattern, according to quartiles of skeletal muscle mass, were investigated. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified for both men and women: 'Flour, Animal fat', 'White rice' and 'Healthy mixed diet'. The association between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass for both men and women was significant only in the 'White rice' dietary pattern. In the 'White rice' pattern, the energy intake increased up to > 300 kcal from the lowest to the highest quartile of skeletal muscle mass after adjustment for covariates. Within the 'White rice' pattern, skeletal muscle mass was linearly associated with energy intake in all the age groups in men. Conclusion: Energy intake was significantly associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass only in the 'White rice' pattern. Furthermore, the degree of association between the change in skeletal muscle mass and energy intake differed according to gender. These results indicate that the association between skeletal muscle mass and energy intake may be specific to Korean people who are accustomed to a traditional Korean diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.684-698
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Recent studies have reported a significant association between skeletal muscle, muscle strength and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effect of nutrient intake on the prediction of skeletal muscle mass and strength or its suggested correlation with metabolic diseases has been primarily reported in healthy individuals. The current study explores the association between energy intake and handgrip strength (HGS) in individuals with NAFLD. Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2016-2018. Data from 12,469 participants were extracted and 1,293 men and 1,401 women aged 20 years and older were included in the analyses of patients with NAFLD. The presence of NAFLD was determined using the hepatic steatosis index. To estimate relative skeletal muscle strength, HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer and calculated by adjusting the body mass index of the dominant arm. Study subjects in the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups were separately categorized according to quartiles of the calculated HGS. Results: We found that individuals with low (EQ1) energy intake had lower odds of HGS compared to subjects with high (EQ4) energy intake, irrespective of their NAFLD status (p < 0.0001). However, the HGS did not differ based on the level of protein or fat intake ratio. Additionally, the effect of energy intake on HGS was more pronounced in men than in women. Conclusion: Energy intake was associated with the risk of weak HGS in men with NAFLD. The results indicate that energy intake may be a key factor in nutrition care for NAFLD patients with low muscle function.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.153-161
• /
• 2016

Chronic alcoholic myopathy is one of the most common skeletal muscle disorders. It is characterized by a reduction in the entire skeletal musculature, skeletal muscle weakness, and difficulties in gait. Patients with alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis have severe muscle loss that contributes to worsening outcome. Although the myopathy selectively affects Type II (fast twitch, glycolytic, anaerobic) skeletal muscle fibers, total skeletal musculature is reduced. The severity of the muscle atrophy is proportional to the duration and amount of alcohol consumed and leads to decreased muscle strength. The mechanisms for the myopathy are generally unknown but it is not due to overt nutritional deficiency, nor due to either neuropathy or severe liver disease. Skeletal muscle mass and protein content are maintained by a balance between protein synthesis and breakdown and in vivo animal models studies have shown that ethanol inhibits skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Daekumeumja is a traditional Korean medicine that is widely employed to treat various alcohol-induced diseases. Muscle diseases are often related to liver diseases and conditions. The main objective of this study was to assess that Daekumeumja extract could have protective effect against alcoholic myopathy in a Sprague-Dawley rat model. Rats were orally given 25% ethanol (5ml/kg, body weight) for 8 weeks. After 30 minutes, rats were administrated with Daekumeumja extract. Controls were similarly administrated with the vehicle alone. The weights of gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles were assessed and the morphologic changes of gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles were also assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. In results, The muscles from ethanol treated rats displayed a significant reduction in muscle weight and average cross section area compared to Normal group. Daekumeumja extract treated group showed increased muscle weight and muscle fiber compared to the ethanol treated group. It was concluded that Daekumeumja extract showed ameliorating effects on chronic alcohol myopathy in skeletal muscle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to introduce a 12-week muscular endurance exercise program and β-glucan consumption to obese elderly people with sarcopenia. We evaluated the program's impact on appendicular skeletal muscle strength and function, muscle function-related physical strength, blood lipids, and IGF-1. The results will serve as foundational data for preventing and improving sarcopenia. Methods : Forty elderly people aged 65 or older were recruited and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Based on criteria related to appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM/Height2: less than 5.4 kg/m2) and body fat percentage (at least 30% for women and 25% for men), we selected 24 obese elderly people with sarcopenia and excluded 56 who did not meet the criteria. Variables related to sarcopenia, blood lipids, IGF-1, and muscle function were measured before the 12-week muscular endurance exercise program. Results : In sarcopenic obese elderly participants, the 12-week muscular endurance exercise program significantly increased bone density and muscle mass while decreasing fat mass and percentage (p<.05). This program also improved grip strength, static balance, and SPPB in sarcopenic obese older adults. Furthermore, their 6-minute walk distance significantly increased (p<.05). Conclusion : Muscular endurance exercises combined with supplement intake can increase appendicular skeletal muscle and improve muscle strength and function, thereby improving the daily physical performance of the elderly.