Relationship of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-  With Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength in Elderly Men and Women: The Health ABC Study

A decline in muscle mass and muscle strength characterizes normal aging. As clinical and animal studies show a relationship between higher cytokine levels and low muscle mass, the aim of this study was to investigate whether markers of inflammation are associated with muscle mass and strength in well-functioning elderly persons.

We used baseline data (1997-1998) of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study on 3075 black and white men and women aged 70-79 years. Midthigh muscle cross-sectional area (computed tomography), appendicular muscle mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), isokinetic knee extensor strength (KinCom), and isometric grip strength were measured. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).