Predictors of short- and long-term mortality among acutely admitted older patients: role of inflammation and frailty.

Background: Frailty, demographic and clinical variables linked to incident diseases (e.g., dehydration, inflammation) contribute to poor outcomes in older patients acutely hospitalized.

Higher protein intake is associated with improved muscle strength in elite senior athletes.

Objective: The optimal protein intake for elderly individuals who exercise regularly has not yet been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that protein intake level is associated with muscle strength in elderly elite athletes.

Methods: We evaluated 50 elite senior athletes (38 men and 12 women) participating in the European Master Games 2011 in an observational cross-sectional study.

Inverse relationship between "a body shape index" (ABSI) and fat-free mass in women and men: Insights into mechanisms of sarcopenic obesity.

Background & Aims: Sarcopenic obesity may be defined by a high fat to fat-free mass (FM/FFM) ratio. Skeletal muscle may be negatively influenced by the pro-inflammatory milieu associated with visceral fat, while the loading effect induced by a heavier body mass index (BMI) may enhance muscle anabolism. Recently, a new anthropometric measure based on waist circumference (A Body Shape Index, ABSI) was developed.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein metabolism: enhancement of anabolic interventions for sarcopenia.

Purpose Of Review: The increased age observed in most countries, with the associated higher rates of chronic illnesses and cancer, and a diffuse sedentary lifestyle, will increase the number of patients with clinically relevant anabolic resistance, sarcopenia and its complications. The need for solutions to this major health issue is, therefore, pressing.

Recent Findings: The metabolic derangements and other consequences associated with sarcopenia can be slowed or even prevented by specific nutritional interventions.

Pentoxifylline acutely reduces protein catabolism in chronically uremic patients.

Background: We investigated the ability of pentoxifylline, a drug with hemorheological actions known to block tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release, to modulate whole-body protein kinetics in undialyzed patients with chronic uremia.

Methods: Leucine rate of appearance (Ra) from proteolysis and leucine oxidation, a marker of net protein loss, were determined by infusing l-[1-13C]leucine and using the reciprocal pool model for calculations.

Results: Intravenous infusion of pentoxifylline in the postabsorptive state (1 mg/kg within 3 hours) decreased the intracellular leucine Ra from proteolysis by -16% +/- 4% versus -3% +/- 2% of saline (P = 0.