Myostatin, its inhibitor follistatin, and growth/differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) have been proposed as factors that could potentially modify biological aging. The study aimed to test whether there is a relationship between these plasma circulating proteins and muscle strength, power and optimal shortening velocity (υopt) of older adults. The cross-sectional study included 56 women and 45 men aged 60 years and older. Every participant underwent examination which included anthropometric and bioimpedance analysis measurements, functional and cognitive performance tests, muscle strength of upper and lower extremities, muscle power testing with two different methods and blood analyses. Women had higher plasma levels of myostatin and GDF11 than men. Men had higher plasma level of follistatin than women. In women, plasma level of myostatin was negatively correlated with left handgrip strength and υopt. Follistatin was negatively correlated with maximum power output (Pmax), power relative to kg of body mass (Pmax∙kg− 1) (friction-loaded cycle ergometer) and power at 70% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) strength value (P70%) of leg press (Keiser pneumatic resistance training equipment), and positively correlated with the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test. GDF11 was negatively correlated with body mass, body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass and the percentage of body fat. In men, there were no significant correlations observed between circulating plasma proteins and muscle function measures. The circulating plasma myostatin and follistatin are negatively associated with muscle function in older women. There is stronger relationship between these proteins and muscle power than muscle strength. GDF11 has a higher association with the body mass and composition than muscle function in older women.

The aim of the present study was to compare two widely recommended short nutrition assessment tools—Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and Subjective Global Assessment Form (SGA)—with other Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) measurements. The study included 622 consecutively hospitalized older subjects, aged 81.7 ± 7.8 years. The criteria to participate were the ability to communicate and given consent. Both NRS-2002 and SGA were inversely related to anthropometric measurements, functional assessment tests, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and positively associated with the Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) score. Results of SGA and NRS-2002 were not related to sex and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score. Comparison of well-nourished subjects and patients with suggested problems with nutrition according to NRS-2002 (0–2 vs. 3–7) and SGA (A vs. B + C) gave comparable results. Both nutritional scales at given cut-off points similarly discriminated anthropometric data and other CGA tools in the populations of well-nourished vs. malnourished hospitalized older subjects. In conclusion, we can recommend using both NRS-2002 and SGA to detect malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in a routine clinical practice of the geriatric department ward.

The cardiovascular effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are generally attributed to their modulatory action on lipid and glucose metabolism. However, no ex vivo studies suggest that circulating androgen levels influence the activation and reactivity of blood platelets - one of the main components of the haemostasis system directly involved in atherosclerosis. The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol in plasma from men and women aged from 60 to 65 years were measured by LC-MS; the aim was to identify any potential relationships between sex steroid levels and the markers of platelet activation (surface membrane expression of GPII/IIIa complex and P-selectin) and platelet reactivity in response to arachidonate, collagen or ADP, monitored with whole blood aggregometry and flow cytometry. The results of the ex vivo part of the study indicate that the concentrations of testosterone and its reduced form, dihydrotestosterone are significantly negatively associated with platelet activation and reactivity. These observations were confirmed in an in vitro model: testosterone and dihydrotestosterone significantly inhibited platelet aggregation triggered by arachidonate or collagen. Our findings indicate that testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are significant haemostatic steroids with inhibitory action on blood platelets in older people.

The study analyzes the relationship between nutritional status and depression symptoms severity in the older population. A total of 1975 older outpatients (1457 women and 518 men, median age 75) were included in the study. Depression symptoms severity was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Participants were divided into two subgroups according to GDS score. Group A: 0–5 points—without depression symptoms (1237, W:898, M:339), and group B: 6–15 points—with depression symptoms (738, W:559, M:179). The nutritional status of the patients was assessed with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and basic anthropometric variables (waist, hips, calf circumferences, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR)). Education years and chronic diseases were also noted. Women with higher depression symptoms severity had significantly lower MNA scores [A: 26.5 (24–28) (median (25%−75% quartiles)) vs. B:23 (20.5–26)], shorter education time [A:12 (8–16) vs. B:7 (7–12)], smaller calf circumference [A:36 (33–38) vs. B: 34 (32–37)], and higher WHtR score [A:57.4 (52.3–62.9) vs. B:58.8 (52.1–65.6)]. Men with depression symptoms had lower MNA scores [A:26.5 (24.5–28) vs. B:24 (20.5–26.5)], shorter education [A:12 (9.5–16), B:10 (7–12)], and smaller calf circumference [A:37 (34–39), B:36 (33–38)]. In the model of stepwise multiple regression including age, years of education, anthropometric variables, MNA and concomitant diseases nutritional assessment, and education years were the only independent variables predicting severity of depression symptoms both in women and men. Additionally, in the female group, odds were higher with higher WHtR. Results obtained in the study indicate a strong relationship between proper nutritional status and education level with depression symptoms severity in older women and men.

Objectives: The study is a case-control analysis of whether depression impairs physical and cognitive functioning and quality of life, and whether there is a relationship between nutrient deficiencies and these adverse changes. Patients and methods: A total of 130 older subjects participated in the study: 65 with diagnosed depression (16 men and 49 women) and 65 age- and sex-matched controls without depression. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. Nutritional state was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment, cognitive performance was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination and physical functioning by the Timed “Up & Go” test and handgrip strength. The pattern of consumption of various nutrients was analyzed in detail. Results: The differences in cognitive functioning observed between the groups were related to specific nutrient intake, as was handgrip strength to some extent. The differences in nutritional status, several functional tests and muscle strength were related to both the presence of depression and inappropriate consumption of certain nutrients. Conclusion: The incidence of falls and poor quality of life may be partially associated with the presence of depression. The inappropriate intake of selected nutrients may impair the functioning and quality of life of older adults with depression, such as the excess consumption of sucrose and insufficient consumption of protein, fiber, eicosapentaenoic acid, niacin and vitamin B6. Particular nutrients should be translated into dietary patterns which allow the individual patient to address these nutrient deficiencies.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sucrose and fiber intake and symptoms of depression in older people. Material and Methods: The research group consisted of 813 community-dwelling subjects (221 males and 592 females, median age 75). The symptoms of depression were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Participants were divided into two subgroups according to the GDS scale. Group A: 0–5 points – no symptoms of depression (612, M:167, W:445), and group B: 6–15 points – with symptoms of depression (201, M:54, W:147). The level of nutrient consumption was assessed with a 24 h Recall Questionnaire and the software ‘Dieta 5.0’. Results: In males, consumption of sucrose (A: 30 g (18.1–53.3), B: 62.8 g (43.2–92.6)) (median (25%–75% quartile) and % of energy from sucrose (A: 7.3% (4.8–11.9), B: 13.5% (7.8–18.6)) were significantly higher in the group with symptoms of depression. Kilocalories per 1 g of fiber intake ratios were higher in depressive groups of both males (A: 89.1 kcal/g (68.1–109), B: 103.9 kcal/g (86.1–134.1)) and females (A: 78.6 kcal/g (62.1–99.9), B: 93 kcal/g (67.1–118.3)). Females without symptoms of depression consumed significantly more fiber (17.2 g (12.9–23.1)) than females with symptoms of depression (16.1 g (11.3–20)). Conclusions: This analysis shows increased kilocalories per 1 g of fiber intake in patients with symptoms of depression. In males, symptoms of depression were connected with higher consumption of sucrose and higher % of energy intake from sucrose. In females, greater fiber consumption was related to less frequent symptoms of depression.