Expression of Circulating MicroRNAs Associated with Obesity and their Relationships with Biochemical Parameters and Health-related Physical Fitness in Children 6 to 10 Years Old in Cali, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health problem worldwide; it has reached pandemic proportions in the last 40 years. Its prevalence in children and adolescents increased from 0.7% to 7.8% between 1975 and 2016. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as regulatory factors related to molecular functions under different conditions. These can be used as biomarkers of a disease to estimate risks in the early stages. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression levels of miRNAs associated with childhood obesity and their relationships with biochemical parameters and Health-related Physical Fitness (HRPF). METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a population of 40 children between 6 and 10 years of age of both sexes from Cali, Colombia, was evaluated; the children were classified as 20 normal-weight and 20 obese. Blood biochemistry, HRPF, and miRNA expression levels were determined (hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p, hsa-miR-486-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p. Comparisons were made between the groups, miRNA associations between the studied variables, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty normal-weight and 20 obese patients were evaluated. Both groups had an average age of eight years old. The miRNA hsa-miR-122-5p (p < 0.05) was overexpressed in the obese group. According to the linear regression analysis, the amount of adipose tissue may be associated with the production of miRNAs (hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsamiR- 191-5p). CONCLUSION: Four miRNAs (hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR- 191-5p) are associated with modifications in biochemical variables of HRPF in this group. Adipose tissue mass could be associated with the production of these miRNAs, thus making them biomarkers of childhood obesity risk.

Sarcopenia in community-dwelling persons over 60 years of age from a northern spanish city: relationship between diagnostic criteria and association with the functional performance.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia is a recognized problem in older people. Currently, its diagnosis goes beyond a simple loss of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia, defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), in independent persons over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In addition, this study compared the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia and assessed the differences in functional performance according to them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 258 members of community centers of both genders. Body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Appendicular lean mass index (App LMI), hand grip strength (HGS), and 8 foot up-and-go test (8f-UG) were used to diagnose sarcopenia. RESULTS: The frequency of sarcopenia was 2.4% (n=6). In women, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r= 0.164, p<0.05) and 8f­UG (r= -0.167, p<0.05), while in men, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r=0.241, p<0.05) but not with 8f­UG (r= -0.173, p=0.117). The subjects with low HGS and low performance in the 8f­UG presented lower values in other functional outcomes than people with low App LMI (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using the EWGSOP definition, the frequency of sarcopenia was low in a group of individuals over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In clinical practice, greater emphasis should be placed on the decrease in muscle strength and functional performance rather than on low muscle mass alone.

Introducción: La sarcopenia es un problema reconocido en la personas mayores. Actualmente, su diagnóstico va más allá de una simple pérdida de la masa muscular. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de sarcopenia definida por el European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), en personas mayores de 60 años con vida independiente de una ciudad del norte de España. Además, el estudio comparó los criterios diagnósticos para sarcopenia y evaluó las diferencias en el rendimiento funcional de acuerdo a ellos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 258 personas de ambos géneros, pertenecientes a centros comunitarios. La composición corporal se evaluó con absorciometría dual por rayos-X. El índice de masa magra apendicular (IMMA), la fuerza de prensión manual (FPM) y el 8 foot up­and­go test (8f­UG) fueron empleados para el diagnóstico de sarcopenia. Resultados: La frecuencia de sarcopenia fue de 2.4% (n=6). En las mujeres, el IMMA se correlacionó con el FPM (r= 0.164, p.

Sarcopenia in community-dwelling persons over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city: relationship between diagnostic criteria and association with the functional performance / Sarcopenia en personas mayores de 60 años residentes en la comunidad de una ciudad del norte de España: relación entre sus criterios diagnósticos y asociación con el rendimiento funcional

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a recognized problem in older people. Currently, its diagnosis goes beyond a simple loss of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia, defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), in independent persons over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In addition, this study compared the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia and assessed the differences in functional performance according to them. Methods: A cross–sectional study was carried out on 258 members of community centers of both genders. Body composition was assessed with dual–energy X–ray absorptiometry. Appendicular lean mass index (App LMI), hand grip strength (HGS), and 8 foot up–and–go test (8f–UG) were used to diagnose sarcopenia. Results: The frequency of sarcopenia was 2.4% (n=6). In women, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r= 0.164, p< 0.05) and 8f–UG (r= -0.167, p< 0.05), while in men, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r=0.241, p< 0.05) but not with 8f–UG (r= -0.173, p=0.117). The subjects with low HGS and low performance in the 8f– UG presented lower values in other functional outcomes than people with low App LMI (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Using the EWGSOP definition, the frequency of sarcopenia was low in a group of individuals over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In clinical practice, greater emphasis should be placed on the decrease in muscle strength and functional performance rather than on low muscle mass alone (AU)

Introducción: La sarcopenia es un problema reconocido en la personas mayores. Actualmente, su diagnóstico va más allá de una simple pérdida de la masa muscular. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de sarcopenia definida por el European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), en personas mayores de 60 años con vida independiente de una ciudad del norte de España. Además, el estudio comparó los criterios diagnósticos para sarcopenia y evaluó las diferencias en el rendimiento funcional de acuerdo a ellos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 258 personas de ambos géneros, pertenecientes a centros comunitarios. La composición corporal se evaluó con absorciometría dual por rayos-X. El índice de masa magra apendicular (IMMA), la fuerza de prensión manual (FPM) y el 8 foot up–and–go test (8f–UG) fueron empleados para el diagnóstico de sarcopenia. Resultados: La frecuencia de sarcopenia fue de 2.4% (n=6). En las mujeres, el IMMA se correlacionó con el FPM (r= 0.164, p< 0.05) y 8f–UG (r= -0.167, p< 0.05) pero no con el 8f–UG (r= -0.173, p=0.117). Los participantes con baja FPM y bajo rendimiento funcional en el 8f–UG presentaron valores más bajos en otros resultados funcionales que las personas con un bajo IMMA (p< 0.05). Conclusiones: al emplear la definición del EWGSOP, la frecuencia de sarcopenia fue baja en un grupo de personas mayores de 60 años de una ciudad del norte de España. En la práctica clínica, debe hacerse más énfasis en la disminución de la fuerza muscular y el rendimiento funcional, que en la baja masa muscular únicamente (AU)