Association between serum uric acid and muscle strength in older adults with or without gout diagnosis: NHANES 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increased oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes of muscle strength loss during aging. Uric acid (UA) is an important antioxidant that has been positively associated with muscle strength in older adults. However, UA is also a prerequisite for gout, which is a type of arthritis that increases inflammation. The association between UA and muscle strength in individuals with gout is unknown. The aim of the study was to associate muscle strength with UA in older adults with or without gout diagnosis. METHODS: The present study evaluated older adults aged from 60 to 80 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. A total of 2529 individuals (1249 men and 1280 women) were evaluated, with (n = 201) or without (n = 2328) gout diagnosis. Muscle strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. The combined grip strength (sum of highest values of both hands) was evaluated. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between UA and strength adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Evaluating the individuals without gout, UA was positively associated with muscle strength [(ß = 0.66 (CI = 0.08; 1.24); p = 0.028)]. However, this association was not significant in individuals with gout [(ß = 0.20 (CI = - 1.18; 1.58); p = 0.774)]. CONCLUSION: Serum UA is positively associated with handgrip strength only in older adults without gout diagnosis. These results suggest that the presence of gout may avoid a positive association between UA and muscle strength in older adults.

Association between Plasma Omega-3 and Handgrip Strength According to Glycohemoglobin Levels in Older Adults: Results from NHANES 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: Low muscle strength is a predictor of mortality in older adults. Although the evidence concerning hyperglycemia is limited, evidence shows that omega-3 (ω-3) intake may be positively associated with muscle strength. However, the association between plasma ω-3 and muscle strength in older adults according to glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) levels has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether plasma ω-3 levels are associated with handgrip strength in individuals over 50 years according to HbA1c levels. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 950 older adults (50-85 years) from NHANES 2011-2012. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between plasma ω-3 and handgrip strength in individuals with elevated (≥5.7%) or normal HbA1c levels after adjustments for confounders. RESULTS: Total plasma ω-3, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were not associated with handgrip strength in older adults regardless of HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Plasma ω-3 levels are not associated with handgrip strength in individuals over 50 years old independent of HbA1c levels.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio and C-Reactive Protein Levels are not Associated with Strength, Muscle Mass, and Functional Capacity in Kidney Transplant Patients.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with components of sarcopenia; however, these associations are unknown in kidney transplant patients (KTPs). The aim of this study was to associate neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with strength, muscle mass, and functional capacity in KTPs. A cross-sectional study evaluating 108 KTPs was performed. Strength was evaluated by handgrip strength and five-times-sit-to-stand test (5STS), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The ASM index (ASMI) was calculated using the ASM (kg)/height (m2). Functional capacity was assessed by the 4-m gait speed test and short physical performance battery (SPPB). The electrochemiluminescence method was used for analyzing CRP levels, and the cytometric method XN-3000 Sysmex was used for obtaining leukogram values to calculate the NLR. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between systemic inflammation and sarcopenia components, adjusting for confounders. NLR and CRP levels were not associated with handgrip strength (ß = - 0.231, p = 0.389; ß = - 0.291, p = 0.577), 5STS (ß = - 0.114, p = 0.288; ß = - 0.202, p = 0.334), ASM (ß = - 0.027, p = 0.813; ß = 0.062, p = 0.788), ASMI (ß = - 0.036, p = 0.242; ß = 0.040, p = 0.505), 4-m gait speed (ß = 0.013, p = 0.082; ß = 0.004, p = 0.769), and SPPB (ß = 0.076, p = 0.170; ß = 0.152, p = 0.157), respectively. In conclusion, NLR and CRP levels were not associated with muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity in KTPs.

Single and Serial Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Do Not Improve Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Soccer Players.

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing seems to improve performance in exercises lasting 30-60 min. However, its effects on intermittent exercise are unclear. It is also unknown whether serial CHO mouth rinses can promote additional ergogenic effects when compared with a single mouth rinse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of single and serial CHO mouth rinses on Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance in soccer players. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 male (18.9 ± 0.5 years) soccer players performed eight serial mouth rinses under three different conditions: placebo solution only (noncaloric juice), seven placebo mouth rinses plus a single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin), or eight CHO mouth rinses (8-CHO). Following the final mouth rinse, individuals performed the Yo-Yo IR1 test to evaluate the maximal aerobic endurance performance measured via total distance covered. There were no differences in Yo-Yo IR1 performance between sessions (p = .32; single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin): 1,198 ± 289 m, eight CHO mouth rinses: 1,256 ± 253 m, placebo: 1,086 ± 284 m). In conclusion, single and serial CHO mouth rinsing did not improve performance during the Yo-Yo IR1 for soccer players. These data suggest that CHO mouth rinsing is not an effective ergogenic strategy for intermittent exercise performance irrespective of the number of rinses.