DePaulis, Alexander
(2023)
The Relationship between Tissue Fibrosis Biomarkers and Physical Function and Body Composition.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Background: Aging is a growing global problem and is expected to triple in the next two decades and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality, with a greater risk in African-ancestry individuals. Specifically, the Caribbean is experiencing rapid aging, leading to the loss of muscle mass and physical function. Fibrosis increases with age and causes adverse health events. Fibrosis biomarkers have emerged as indicators of aging-related decline. However, the Caribbean has largely been ignored by health research, so this study aims to characterize tissue fibrosis biomarkers in this population.
Methods: Men (n=130) were randomly selected from among 4 groups based on their gait speed (≥1.0 m/s or <1.0m/s) and age (aged ≥65 or <65) Tobago Health study. . CC Chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), Matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2), MMP7, Galectin-3, Growth differentiation factor 15 (GFF15), Osteopontin (OPN), Resistin, Procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (P3NP) were measured by multiplex immunoassay. Participants were assessed for muscle and physical function: a dynamometer measured grip strength and gait speed by a 4-meter walk. CT scans assessed body composition for intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), muscle size, and muscle density. The association between the log-transformed biomarker and the measure of physical function or body composition was determined by linear regression adjusted for age, height, weight, chronic diseases, and smoking status.
Results: Participants had a median age of 74.5 [IQR = 69, 79]. OPN (β = -2.2, p = 0.04) was significantly associated with weaker grip strength. Galectin-3 was significantly associated with increased calf IMAT (β = 234.6, p = 0.02). MMP7 (β = -649.6, p= 0.004) was significantly associated with lower calf muscle volume. Galectin-3 (β = -4.3, p = 0.003) was significantly associated with decreased calf muscle density. GDF15 (β = -57.9, β = 0.01) was significantly associated with decreased thigh muscle volume.
Conclusions: Tissue fibrosis biomarkers were associated with adverse measurements of physical function and body composition in an African Caribbean population. The public health significance of these results indicates that research could further examine the mechanism of the biomarkers and their role in biological aging.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Thesis advisor | Santanasto, Adam | ajs51@pitt.edu | ajs51 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Zhang, Yingze | zhang3@pitt.edu | zhang3 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Zmuda, Joseph | epidjmz@pitt.edu | jmz | UNSPECIFIED |
|
| Date: |
4 January 2023 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
13 December 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
67 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Epidemiology |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
aging |
| Date Deposited: |
04 Jan 2023 16:01 |
| Last Modified: |
04 Jan 2023 16:01 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/44011 |
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