Biomarkers for Sarcopenia: Imaging, Clinical, and Nutritional Biomarkers and the Age-Related Decline in Skeletal Muscle Health

Scott, Jamie (2025) Biomarkers for Sarcopenia: Imaging, Clinical, and Nutritional Biomarkers and the Age-Related Decline in Skeletal Muscle Health. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Introduction
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, is linked to morbidity and mortality, but there are knowledge gaps in its diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Finding diagnostic, monitoring, and risk biomarkers has been highlighted as a research priority. Imaging biomarkers can objectively measure muscle tissue composition and have potential as diagnostic, monitoring, and risk biomarkers. Commonly-measured clinical and nutritional biomarkers—with known importance for muscle health—may be useful as risk biomarkers. Investigating associations between nutritional biomarkers and muscle health may also highlight micronutrients with utility in preventive or treatment strategies.

Approach and Main Findings
Associations between imaging biomarkers of skeletal muscle tissue composition (contractile volume and intra- and inter-muscular fat) and muscle strength were explored in the Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing cohort. Results showed that skeletal muscle contractile volume (muscle volume minus intramuscular fat) was more strongly related to muscle strength than intra- or inter-muscular fat.

Associations between clinical (haemoglobin, ferritin, albumin, creatinine, HbA1c) and nutritional biomarkers (vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, folate) and muscle mass, strength, and physical performance were explored in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging cohort. Here, serum creatinine, Hba1c, and biomarkers of iron status were associated with skeletal muscle health, particularly in men.

Associations between plasma and dietary vitamin C, and muscle strength and physical performance, were explored in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk cohort. Plasma vitamin C was associated with muscle strength and physical performance, particularly in women. Based on these results, a protocol was developed for an intervention trial investigating the effect of vitamin C on skeletal muscle health in older women.

Conclusion
This research provides novel insight into potential biomarkers for sarcopenia that should be further investigated prospectively, and through intervention trials, to support these findings.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2025 12:16
Last Modified:	22 Dec 2025 12:16
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101473
DOI:

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