Zeng Derong, Mizutani Kaoru, Qi Xiang, Asada-Utsugi Megumi, Wu Bei, Kawasaki Teruaki, Akiguchi Ichiro, Kinoshita Ayae
Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kawara-machi 53, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
BMC Geriatr. 2025 May 13;25(1):332. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-05977-8.
To examine the cross-sectional associations of hemopexin, muscle quality, and sarcopenia status with cognitive function among older Japanese adults with cognitive impairment, and to explore the potential sex-specific differences.
A total of 580 older adults (372 women, 208 men; mean age 83.3 ± 6.2 years) who presented with cognitive impairment at the Kyoto Dementia Comprehensive Center between 2018 and 2022 were enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Hemopexin level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Muscle quality was evaluated via phase angle (PhA) and grip strength, and sarcopenia status was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. Multiple linear regression models, including sex-stratified analyses, were conducted to determine the relationships of these variables with MMSE scores.
Higher hemopexin levels (β = 1.19, p = 0.017), PhA (β = 0.59, p = 0.005), and grip strength (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) were independently associated with better MMSE scores, whereas sarcopenia was negatively linked to MMSE scores (β = - 2.28, p < 0.001). Notably, sex-stratified models indicated that hemopexin positively predicted MMSE scores in men but not in women; meanwhile, sarcopenia showed a stronger negative impact in women. Educational attainment also displayed a significant positive association with cognitive performance in both sexes.
In this cross-sectional study of older Japanese adults with cognitive impairment, hemopexin levels and muscle quality emerged as important correlates of cognitive function, particularly in men, while sarcopenia was negatively linked to cognition.
研究在患有认知障碍的日本老年人群中，血红素结合蛋白、肌肉质量和肌肉减少症状态与认知功能之间的横断面关联，并探讨潜在的性别差异。
纳入2018年至2022年间在京都痴呆症综合中心出现认知障碍的580名老年人（372名女性，208名男性；平均年龄83.3±6.2岁）。使用简易精神状态检查表（MMSE）评估认知功能。通过酶联免疫吸附测定法测量血红素结合蛋白水平。通过相位角（PhA）和握力评估肌肉质量，并使用亚洲肌肉减少症工作组的标准定义肌肉减少症状态。进行了包括性别分层分析在内的多元线性回归模型，以确定这些变量与MMSE评分之间的关系。
较高的血红素结合蛋白水平（β=1.19，p=0.017）、PhA（β=0.59，p=0.005）和握力（β=0.14，p<0.001）与更好的MMSE评分独立相关，而肌肉减少症与MMSE评分呈负相关（β=-2.28，p<0.001）。值得注意的是，性别分层模型表明，血红素结合蛋白在男性中对MMSE评分有正向预测作用，而在女性中则没有；同时，肌肉减少症在女性中的负面影响更强。受教育程度在两性中也与认知表现呈显著正相关。
在这项针对患有认知障碍的日本老年人的横断面研究中，血红素结合蛋白水平和肌肉质量是认知功能的重要相关因素，尤其是在男性中，而肌肉减少症与认知呈负相关。
