Cause and Importance of the Age-dependent Sarcopenia

Cause and Importance of the Age-dependent Sarcopenia With a Blood Based Bioenergetics & Cytokine Profiling Approach

The goal of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the difference in cytokine profiling approach and mitochondrial function between geriatric sarcopenic patients (group 1) and geriatric non-sarcopenic patients (group 2) and healthy (group 3) geriatric participants.

Study participants (group 1&2) are assessed during the hospital stay and age-matched controls (group 3) will be recruited through Flyers.

The investigators aim to isolate and cryopreserve peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood to perform functional assays on mitochondrial respiratory capacity and ROS. Furthermore, the investigators will investigate the association between biomarkers and frailty, quality of life, functional performance, fatigue and risk of depression.

The investigators hypothesize that this profiling approach will allow the evaluation of the progression of age-dependent sarcopenia and uncover novel therapeutic targets.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 60 and 85 years
• Informed written consent
• Normal cognitive status according to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE ≥ 24 points)
• Life expectancy of > 3 months according to treating doctor
• without implanted Defibrillation
• without acute Sepsis
• without neurodegenerative diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 60 years or > 85 years
• Lack of informed written consent
• Low cognitive status according to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE < 24 points)
• Life expectancy of < 3 months according to treating doctor
• Implanted Defibrillation
• Acute Sepsis
• neurodegenerative diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington