Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that a higher predictive IL-6 cut-off level should be determined for aging sarcopenia in men than in women
Background Aging sarcopenia characterized by low muscle mass with low muscle strength affects men and women differently .
The contribution of interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) to sarcopenia has been suggested based on a negative correlation between plasma IL-6 and muscle function described by some studies .
However , no consensus regarding clinical ly relevant cut-off criteria has been reached .
Another question arises whether pooling male and female data is an accurate way to determine the predictive value of IL-6 in sarcopenia .
The present meta- analysis was design ed to assess : ( 1 ) whether plasma IL-6 in aged population s in fact correlates negatively to muscle strength ; ( 2 ) whether such a correlation exists both in men and in women ; and ( 3 ) whether plasma IL-6 shows a gender difference in old age .
Association between physical activity, physical performance, and inflammatory biomarkers in an elderly population: the InCHIANTI study.
BACKGROUND Our aim was to determine the association between physical activity and physical performance , and inflammatory biomarkers in elderly persons . METHODS One thous and four persons aged 65 years or more , participants in a cross-sectional population -based study , were included . Interviewers collected information on  self-reported physical activity during the previous year . Moreover , 841 participants performed a 400-meter walking test  to assess physical performance . Plasma concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined . RESULTS Compared to sedentary men , men practicing light and moderate-high physical activity had a significantly lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( -0.33 and -0.40 mm/h ; p = .023 and p = .006 , respectively ) , fibrinogen level ( -43 and -39 mg/dL ; p = .001 and p = .004 , respectively ) , and logarithm of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) ( -0.43 and -0.73 mg/L ; p = .025 and p < .001 , respectively ) , whereas only those men practicing moderate-high physical activity had a significantly lower uric acid level ( -0.57 mg/dL ; p = .023 ) , log(interleukin 6 ) levels ( -0.33 pg/mL ; p = .014 ) , and log(tumor necrosis factor-alpha ) ( -0.31 pg/mL ; p = .030 ) . In women , those practicing light and moderate-high physical activity had significantly lower uric acid ( -0.45 and -0.34 mg/dL ; p = .001 and p = .039 , respectively ) and log(interleukin 6 ) levels ( -0.18 and -0.30 pg/mL ; p = .043 and p = .004 , respectively ) ; only those women practicing moderate-high physical activity had significantly lower log(CRP ) ( -0.31 mg/L ; p = .020 ) . In women , when the analysis was adjusted for body mass index , the association between physical activity and CRP was no longer significant . Similar findings were observed when we carried these analyses according to physical performance . CONCLUSIONS Current physical activity practice and performance are associated with inflammatory biomarkers . A significant beneficial association is already observed with light physical activity practice and intermediate performance
Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that a higher predictive IL-6 cut-off level should be determined for aging sarcopenia in men than in women
Background Aging sarcopenia characterized by low muscle mass with low muscle strength affects men and women differently .
The contribution of interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) to sarcopenia has been suggested based on a negative correlation between plasma IL-6 and muscle function described by some studies .
However , no consensus regarding clinical ly relevant cut-off criteria has been reached .
Another question arises whether pooling male and female data is an accurate way to determine the predictive value of IL-6 in sarcopenia .
The present meta- analysis was design ed to assess : ( 1 ) whether plasma IL-6 in aged population s in fact correlates negatively to muscle strength ; ( 2 ) whether such a correlation exists both in men and in women ; and ( 3 ) whether plasma IL-6 shows a gender difference in old age .