title: Carotenoids as protection against sarcopenia in older adults.
abstract: Sarcopenia, or loss of muscle mass and strength, plays a major role in the disablement process in older adults and increases the risk of impaired physical performance, falls, physical disability, frailty, and death. Oxidative stress is a major mechanism implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia; aging muscle shows increased oxidative damage to DNA, protein, and lipids. Carotenoids quench free radicals, reduce damage from reactive oxygen species, and appear to modulate redox-sensitive transcription factors such as NF-kappaB that are involved in the upregulation of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines. Recent epidemiological studies in community-dwelling older adults show that low serum/plasma carotenoids are independently associated with low skeletal muscle strength and the development of walking disability. These observations are consistent with a growing number of studies showing that a diet with high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. rdsemba@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Semba
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lauretani
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D002338:Carotenoids