Protein Supplementation in Elderly With Sarcopenic Obesity Undergoing Caloric Restriction and Exercise

Protein Supplementation in Elderly With Sarcopenic Obesity Undergoing Caloric Restriction and Exercise

Effects of the Protein Supplementation Associated With Exercise Training in Elderly With Sarcopenic Obesity Undergoing Caloric Restriction

This study aims to investigate if protein supplementation increases the benefits of exercise training in the elderly with sarcopenic obesity undergoing caloric restriction.

A major subset of adults over the age of 65 is now classified as having sarcopenic obesity, a high-risk geriatric syndrome predominantly observed in an aging population that is at risk of synergistic complications from both sarcopenia and obesity. Lifestyle interventions such as caloric restriction and exercise training are effective nonpharmacological strategies to mitigate some adverse effects related to this condition. Also, protein supplementation may boost the benefits of exercise, but this assumption is still to be tested. This trial aims to test whether protein supplementation is able to increase the benefits of exercise training in the elderly with sarcopenic obesity undergoing caloric restriction.

Patients allocated to this arm will be submitted to caloric restriction associated with exercise training program plus protein supplementation.

Patients allocated to this arm will be submitted to caloric restriction associated with exercise training program plus isocaloric placebo.

Bone microarchitecture will be assessed using a high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT)

Cardiorespiratory fitness will be evaluated by maximal oxygen uptake (VO²max) during a maximal exercise test on a treadmill

Lipid profile (i.e; HDL, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides) will be evaluated by colorimetric enzymatic methods

Inflammatory profile (i.e.; IL1β, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, TNF-α and C-Reactive Protein) will be quantified using the Luminex xMAP technology

Bone turnover (i.e.; CTX, P1NP, DKK1, sclerostin, osteocalcin, and osteopontin) will be quantified using the - Luminex xMAP technology;

Muscle fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA) will be assessed using an immunostaining assay of muscle tissue samples obtained through percutaneous muscle biopsy

Satellite cell content (SC) and myonuclei content will be assessed using an immunostaining assay of muscle tissue samples obtained through percutaneous muscle biopsy

Muscle fibre capillarization will be assessed using an immunostaining assay of muscle tissue samples obtained through percutaneous muscle biopsy

Oxidative stress (i.e,; SOD, CAT, glutathione, GPx, GSH and MDA) will be determined through ELISA assay.

Gut hormones (i.e.; Ghrelin, GIP, GLP-1, PP, PYY) will be quantified using the Luminex xMAP technology

Health-related quality of life will be evaluated by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36)

Inclusion Criteria: 65 years and older; Body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2; Sarcopenia; not engage into exercise training programas. Exclusion Criteria: cancer in the last 5 years; cognitive deficit or dementia that impossibility the patient to read and sign the informed consent form; any disease that limits participation in exercise training program.