Skeletal muscle area and density are associated with lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol levels: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Loss of muscle mass with age may be a key player in metabolic dysregulation. We examined the associations between abdominal muscle area and density with lipids and lipoproteins.

METHODS

One thousand eight hundred and sixty eight adults completed health history and physical activity questionnaires, provided venous blood samples for lipids and inflammatory biomarkers, and underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition. Associations between muscle area and density with multiple lipid measures were assessed with multivariable linear and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index of participants was 65 years and 28 kg/m, respectively, and 50% were female. After adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, lipid-lowering medications, physical activity, sedentary behavior, inflammatory biomarkers, and central obesity, a 1-standard deviation increase in total abdominal, stability, and locomotor muscle areas was associated with a 13%, 11%, and 8% lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, respectively (P < .05). With similar adjustment, a 1-standard deviation increase in total abdominal and stability muscle area was associated with a 13% and 12% lower total cholesterol level, respectively (P < .01). Compared to the lowest quartiles of total, stability, and locomotor muscle area, those in the higher quartiles of muscle area had over a 40% reduction in the odds of triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL (P < .05). Total abdominal muscle density was positively associated with total cholesterol (P < .05) but was not associated with the other lipid outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Maintaining adequate skeletal muscle mass with age may decrease specific lipid levels related to hyperlipidemia and development of cardiometabolic disease.