Evaluation of Associations of Growth Differentiation Factor-11, Growth Differentiation Factor-8, and Their Binding Proteins, Follistatin and Follistatin-Like Protein-3, With Measures of Skeletal Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Function in Older Adults.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-28-2023
Original Citation
Cawthon P,
Patel S,
Newman A,
Bhasin S,
Peng L,
Tracy R,
Kizer J,
Lee S,
Ferrucci L,
Ganz P,
LeBrasseur N,
Cummings S.
Evaluation of Associations of Growth Differentiation Factor-11, Growth Differentiation Factor-8, and Their Binding Proteins, Follistatin and Follistatin-Like Protein-3, With Measures of Skeletal Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Function in Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(11):2051-9.
Keywords
JGM, Animals, Humans, Aged, Myostatin, Carrier Proteins, Follistatin, Prospective Studies, Growth Differentiation Factors, Muscle Strength, Proteins, Muscle, Skeletal
JAX Source
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(11):2051-9.
ISSN
1758-535X
PMID
36752218
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glad045
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Based on studies from animal models, growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) may have rejuvenating effects in humans. GDF-11 has high sequence homology with GDF-8 (also known as myostatin); follistatin and follistatin-like protein-3 (FSTL-3) are inhibitory proteins of both GDF-8 and GDF-11.
METHODS: Using highly specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assays for GDF-11 and GDF-8 and immunoassays for follistatin and FSTL-3, we quantified the association of these factors with muscle size, strength, and physical performance in 2 prospective cohort studies of community-dwelling older adults (Health, Aging, and Body Composition study [Health ABC] and Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS]).
RESULTS: GDF-8 levels were positively associated with thigh muscle cross-sectional area and density in Health ABC (data not available in CHS). GDF-8 levels were positively associated with lean mass (a surrogate of muscle mass) in Health ABC but not CHS, and grip strength in CHS but not Health ABC. FSTL-3 (and perhaps follistatin) was negatively associated with lean mass and had variable associations with other variables. In contrast, GDF-11 was not significantly associated with strength or performance.
CONCLUSIONS: GDF-8 and its binding proteins, follistatin and FSTL-3, may constitute a counterregulatory system (chalones) to restrain age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.