Sarcopenia is defined by the decline in muscle mass and function with age, but beyond aging, it is a clinical entity that extends to most chronic diseases. Thus, the high prevalence of sarcopenia in many organ pathologies (such as chronic renal, cardiac or respiratory failure) is underestimated, even though this muscle loss has numerous functional and metabolic consequences. It is accompanied by a reduction in strength and therefore contributes to a reduction in autonomy and the risk of falling in the elderly. It also contributes to the development of adiposity, particularly visceral adiposity, insulin resistance and osteoporosis.

Research activity

During the postprandial phase, muscle protein synthesis is activated primarily by insulin and amino acids derived primarily from dietary proteins, depending on their plasma concentrations. Aging is accompanied by a loss of sensitivity to protein and hormonal signals, partly explaining the onset and development of sarcopenia. During our work, we have shown that the rapid and intense release into the blood of amino acids from dietary proteins ("fast" proteins from the soluble fraction of milk proteins) is a major factor in protein retention and muscle stimulation in the elderly. These concepts of "slow and fast" proteins and daily "protein loading" are now the basis of new nutritional strategies for the prevention of loss and the treatment of muscle recovery. Recently, new clinical and preclinical studies have allowed us to demonstrate that other nutritional factors, such as certain fatty acids and micronutrients, can promote the maintenance of postprandial protein anabolism, in particular by amplifying the effects of amino acids and insulin. All of this new data provides avenues for reflection for an optimal and targeted approach to muscle preservation in chronic disease situations.

Sarcopenic obesity is a new clinical entity that raises new clinical and scientific questions. It leads us to rethink the management of sarcopenia where excessive adiposity and muscle deficit can coexist.

Most notable publications

• Pinel A, Guillet C, Capel F, Pouget M, De Antonio M, Pereira B, Topinkova E, Eglseer D, Barazzoni R, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Schoufour JD, Weijs PJM, Boirie Y. Identification of factors associated with sarcopenic obesity development: Literature review and expert panel voting. Clin Nutr. 2024 Apr 24;43(6):1414-1424. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.04.033. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38701709.
• Benz E, Pinel A, Guillet C, Capel F, Pereira B, De Antonio M, Pouget M, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Eglseer D, Topinkova E, Barazzoni R, Rivadeneira F, Ikram MA, Steur M, Voortman T, Schoufour JD, Weijs PJM, Boirie Y. Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity and Mortality Among Older People. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Mar 4;7(3):e243604. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3604. PMID: 38526491; PMCID: PMC10964118.
• Boirie Y, Pinel A, Guillet C. Protein and amino acids in obesity: friends or foes? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2023 Nov 1;26(6):508-513. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000978. Epub 2023 Aug 29. PMID: 37807957.
• Ait Hssain A, Farigon N, Merdji H, Guelon D, Bohé J, Cayot S, Chabanne R, Constantin JM, Pereira B, Bouvier D, Andant N, Roth H, Thibault R, Sapin V, Hasselmann M, Souweine B, Cano N, Boirie Y, Dupuis C. Body composition and muscle strength at the end of ICU stay are associated with 1-year mortality, a prospective multicenter observational study. Clin Nutr. 2023 Oct;42(10):2070-2079. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.09.001. Epub 2023 Sep 9. PMID: 37708587.
• Blanquet M, Guiguet-Auclair C, Berland P, Ducher G, Sauvage A, Dadet S, Guiyedi V, Farigon N, Bohatier J, Gerbaud L, Boirie Y. Are Energy and Protein Intakes Lower Than Requirements in Older Adults? An Urgent Issue in Hospitals and Nursing Homes. Nutrients. 2023 Jul 26;15(15):3307. doi: 10.3390/nu15153307. PMID: 37571245; PMCID: PMC10421298.

Other links

ASMS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/boirie-yves-b83094121/?originalSubdomain=fr