title: Increased follistatin associated with decreased gait speed among old adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low gait speed is associated with inflammation and muscle strength. Follistatin, a glycosylated plasma protein, is involved in inflammatory diseases, bone metabolism, muscle strength and cognition. However, research regarding the relationship between follistatin and gait speed in elderly individuals is limited. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between follistatin and gait speed in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional, observational study included 205 ambulatory individuals aged ≥ 65 years. The baseline measures included 15-foot walking time, a structured questionnaire, grip strength and biomarkers, including follistatin and myostatin levels. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the change in gait speed for each 1 pg/mL increase in serum follistatin level. An extended model approach with a quartile-based analysis of serum follistatin levels was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the linear regression model, the β coefficient, representing the change in gait speed for each 1 pg/mL increase in serum follistatin level, was -0·308 (P < 0·001). After additional adjustment for relevant covariates, the β coefficient changed slightly, although the negative correlation remained (all P ≤ 0·001). After controlling for multiple covariates, participants in the highest serum follistatin level quartile had a significantly lower gait speed than those in the lowest quartile (all P for trend < 0·001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A higher follistatin level was independently associated with lower gait speed in community-dwelling elderly individuals; this suggests that serum follistatin level may be an indicator of mobility in elderly persons and may more particularly represent lower extremity function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fang-Yih
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tung-Wei
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital BeiHu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Der-Sheng
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chiao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.|Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.|Research Centre for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.|Center for Obesity, Lifestyle and Metabolic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Shiung
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D038681:Follistatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055435:Myostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D000072797:Walking Speed / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D038681:Follistatin; D055435:Myostatin
keywords: Ageing; follistatin; gait speed; inflammation