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Extensive type II muscle fiber atrophy in elderly women undergoing acute hip surgery after falling
Author(s) -
Snijders Tim,
Verdijk Lex B,
Poeze Martijn,
Loon Luc J.C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1143.8
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle atrophy , atrophy , sarcopenia , vastus lateralis muscle , muscle fibre , hip fracture , surgery , osteoporosis , cardiology , skeletal muscle
BACKGROUND Age‐related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength increases the risk of falls and fractures, which is the most common cause of injury‐related death in persons above 75 years. This study compares muscle fiber characteristics of elderly women undergoing acute hip fracture surgery with those of healthy young and elderly controls. METHODS Percutaneous needle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis muscle in healthy young (21±1y) and older women (79±3y), and frail elderly women admitted for acute hip fracture surgery (83±6y). Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess muscle fiber size and satellite cell (SC) content in a fiber type‐specific manner. RESULTS Type II muscle fiber size in both the healthy and frail elderly were smaller when compared with the young. Frail elderly showed a higher degree of muscle fiber atrophy and lower SC content when compared with healthy elderly, with differences being most prominent in type II muscle fibers. CONCLUSION Elderly at risk of falling show extensive type II muscle fiber atrophy and a decline in SC content when compared with age‐matched controls. Elderly at risk of falls and fractures may be identified by such muscle characteristics.