Background: Aging is characterized by a decline in the cardiovascular hemodynamic response, which may be aggravated by undernutrition. However, no study has evaluated whether low caloric intake may affect cardiovascular hemodynamics and its possible relation with functional capacity and immune response in older adults. Methods: Sixty-one older adults of both genders were enrolled in this study and were classified as normocaloric (n = 18) and hypocaloric (n = 43). All volunteers were evaluated for cardiovascular hemodynamics using impedance cardiography (PhysioFlow^®); functional capacity by the 1′ sit-to-stand test with SpO₂ monitoring; whole-blood analysis using an automated hematocytometer (Sysmex^®); and levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and Klotho by ELISA. Results: The hypocaloric group presented impaired functional capacity, measured by a reduced number of sit-to-stand repetitions (p < 0.0251) and impaired delta of SpO₂ (p < 0.0307). In contrast, the hypocaloric group presented an improved stroke volume (p < 0.0352), systemic vascular resistance (p < 0.0075), and systemic vascular resistance index (p < 0.0184). In addition, no changes were observed in the whole-blood analysis (p > 0.05) or for IL-6 (p > 0.05), TNF-alpha (p < 0.05), IL-10 (p < 0.05), and Klotho (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A long-term hypocaloric diet in eutrophic older adults’ resulted in an enhanced cardiovascular hemodynamic response but was associated with reduced functional capacity without changes in the immune response.

Background: Aging is associated with sarcopenia, chronic low-grade inflammation, impaired functional capacity, and reduced respiratory muscle strength. Resistance training is recognized as an effective intervention to attenuate these age-related alterations; however, its effects on respiratory function and anti-aging biomarkers such as Klotho remain incompletely understood. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 community-dwelling older adults (60–75 years) were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 30) or a resistance training group (n = 30). Participants in the intervention group completed a supervised 12-week resistance training program (three sessions/week). Assessments performed before and after the intervention included anthropometry, body composition, respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures), handgrip strength, 1 min sit-to-stand test, oxygen saturation, plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, Klotho, and hematological parameters. Results: The resistance training group presented significantly increased maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, handgrip strength, and 1 min sit-to-stand performance while attenuating exercise-induced oxygen desaturation. The intervention also reduced plasma IL-6 concentrations and markedly increased circulating IL-10 and Klotho levels, indicating a favorable anti-inflammatory and anti-aging response. No significant changes were observed in systemic hematological parameters, whereas anthropometric adaptations were modest. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of resistance training significantly improved respiratory muscle strength and systemic inflammatory status in older adults. The concomitant increase in circulating Klotho suggests that resistance training may promote biological mechanisms associated with healthy aging, supporting its implementation as a non-pharmacological strategy to preserve functional independence and respiratory health in the elderly.

Undernutrition is closely related to cachexia resulting in loss of muscle mass, beyond to immunological dysregulation. However, is unknown whether undernutrition may result in impairment of lung function and in the specific pulmonary immune dysregulation in older adults. So, 64 older adults (≥ 60 years old), from both genders, were evaluated. Of note, a 24-hour dietary record and the food frequency questionnaire was used to classify the older adults into normocaloric, hypercaloric and hypocaloric diet. From 64 older adults, 43 were classified as hypocaloric (67.28%), 18 normocaloric (28.12%) and 3 hypercaloric (4.68%). The spirometry revealed that comparing hypocaloric versus normocaloric group, forced vital capacity (FVC, % of predicted) was reduced (90.15±14.42 versus 101.68±19.25; p<0.0214), forced volume in the first second (FEV1, % of predicted) (102.00±17.67 versus 88.68±14.85; p<0.0039), and FEV1/FVC (% of predicted) (93.11±11.02 versus 98.48±6.95; p<0.0353). For all other lung function parameters and for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, no differences were observed. However, the hand grip strength (Kg) showed a reduced strength for right (24.57±5.41 versus 27.63±7.74; p<0.0296) and left (24.00±6.01 versus 28.28±7.42; p<0.0123) hand when hypocaloric versus normocaloric group was compared. The analysis of IL-10 in the BC showed that hypocaloric group presented reduced levels of IL-10 compared to normocaloric group (24.00±6.01 versus 28.28±7.42; p<0.0123). Undernutrition in older adults’ results in decreased lung function and in pulmonary immune dysregulation.