Aging and Chronic Disease (Poster Session)

(P22-008-25) Extracellular Mass to Body Cell Mass Ratio As Novel Index of Healthy Aging

Monday, June 2, 2025

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET

Location: Poster Board B-32

Presenting Author(s)

Antonella Cano, MPhil

Researcher
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, AOUSS; University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Sassari, Sardegna, Italy

Co-Author(s)

LV

Lucia Ventura

Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, AOUSS; University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
MC

Maria Grazia Catte

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
GM

Gianluca Martinez

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
EC

Elena Castiglia

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
JS

Josetta Sanna

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
CO

Carmen Oneto

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Italy
PO

Paola Ortu

Institute for Genetics and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, Italy
MP

Maria Rita Piras

Institute for Genetics and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, Italy
FD

Franca Deriu

University of Sassari, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, AOUSS, Unit of Endocrinology, Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders, Italy

Disclosure(s):

Antonella Cano, MPhil: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Aging is a physiological process characterized by a progressive loss of reparative mechanisms, body compartmentation and homeostatic resilience in response to stress. Extracellular mass to body cell mass ratio (ECM/BCM) is a novel parameter of catabolism and/or extracellular mass expansion. The aim of the study was to assess ECM/BCM as index of nutritional status, functional and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals.

Methods: Healthy older subjects (n=287, 66.7±7.5 y.o., 165 women) were included. Nutritional status was assessed through Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), bioelectrical impedance analysis and 7-day food diary. Cognitive and functional performance were assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and dynamometry, respectively. Blood biochemical parameters were measured.

Results: ECM/BCM mean value was 0.91±0.12. Subjects with high ECM/BCM (75^th percentile) presented significantly lower protein, iron, branched chain amino acids and aromatic amino acids intake compared to subjects with low ECM/BCM (25^th percentile). The same pattern was observed for haemoglobin, haematocrit, albumin, creatinine and transferrin. Individuals with normal ECM/BCM (50^th percentile) presented significantly lower iron intake, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, creatinine and transferrin compared to individuals with low ECM/BCM. ECM/BCM was inversely correlated to MNA (p=0.012), MoCA (p=0.019) and muscle quality index (p < 0.0001). Linear regression using ECM/BCM, age, body mass index and sex as independent factors, showed ECM/BCM as predictor of nutritional (p=0.003), cognitive (p=0.05) and functional (p < 0.0001) status.

Conclusions: ECM/BCM is suggested, for the first time, as a novel comprehensive index of nutritional, cognitive and functional status in older individuals, potentially expressing progressive loss of barrier integrity and compartments with consequent alteration of homeostasis and homeostatic resilience. ECM/BCM as marker of nutritional status and global performance in older population could represent an unbiased and useful proxy to monitor and promote healthy aging.

Funding Sources: Funded by Unione europea – Next Generation EU – PNRR M6C2 - Investimento 2.1 Valorizzazione e potenziamento della ricerca biomedica del SSN” (PNRR-MAD-2022-1237666), CUP H83C22000720006.