Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 489040, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Department of Nursing II, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 27;11(1):9098. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88455-6.
Serum alpha-klotho (s-klotho) protein has been linked with lifespan, and low concentrations of s-klotho have been associated with worse physical and cognitive outcomes. Although its significance in aging remains unclear, s-klotho has been proposed as a molecular biomarker of frailty and dependence. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial performed in a population of 103 older individuals living in 10 nursing homes in Gipuzkoa (Spain). We aimed to elucidate associations between s-klotho (as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and body composition, physical fitness, and cognition, as well as frailty and dependence (determined using validated tests and scales). In addition, we investigated the association of s-klotho concentration with falls in the six months following the initial assessment. Low s-klotho levels were associated with a lower score in the psychological component of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, a worse score in the Coding Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and a greater dependence in activities of daily living. Moreover, participants with lower s-klotho concentrations suffered more falls during the 6 months after the assessment. Future translational research should aim to validate klotho's putative role as a biomarker that could identify the risk of aging-related adverse events in clinical practice.
血清α-klotho（s-klotho）蛋白与寿命有关，s-klotho 浓度较低与较差的身体和认知结果相关。尽管其在衰老中的意义尚不清楚，但 s-klotho 已被提议作为衰弱和依赖的分子生物标志物。本研究是对在西班牙吉普斯夸省（Gipuzkoa）的 10 家养老院居住的 103 名老年人的临床试验数据进行的二次分析。我们旨在阐明 s-klotho（通过酶联免疫吸附试验测量）与身体成分、身体适应性和认知以及衰弱和依赖（通过经过验证的测试和量表确定）之间的关联。此外，我们还研究了 s-klotho 浓度与初始评估后 6 个月内跌倒之间的关联。s-klotho 水平较低与 Tilburg 衰弱指标心理成分评分较低、Coding Wechsler 成人智力测验评分较差和日常生活活动依赖性较大有关。此外，s-klotho 浓度较低的参与者在评估后 6 个月内遭受更多的跌倒。未来的转化研究应旨在验证 klotho 作为一种生物标志物的潜在作用，该标志物可以在临床实践中识别与衰老相关的不良事件的风险。
