Jamrasi Parivash, Bae Jun Hyun, Song Wook
Department of Physical Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
Institute of Sport Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
Eur Geriatr Med. 2025 Jul 23. doi: 10.1007/s41999-025-01272-2.
Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) is involved in regulating inflammation, metabolism, and muscle regeneration, making it a promising therapeutic target. Building on prior research, we investigated how exercise-induced changes in Metrnl relate to inflammatory markers, physical function, and cognitive performance. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a 12-week exercise intervention on circulating Metrnl, a novel biomarker, in 90 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65 years).
Participants were randomized into a walking group (WG), a combined resistance and walking group (RWG), or an active control group (CG). Intervention groups engaged in moderate-intensity exercise; walking based on age-specific step goals and resistance training twice weekly. Blood samples and assessments of physical and cognitive function were collected pre- and post-intervention.
79 participants successfully completed the study. After 12 weeks, serum Metrnl levels significantly increased in both RWG and WG compared to CG (WG vs. CG: p = .002; RWG vs. CG: p = .004). Metrnl changes were correlated with improvements in inflammatory markers (IL-6, p = .048; TNF-α, p = .040), physical activity (p = .041), and physical function (Timed Up & Go, p = .004; Five Times Sit to Stand Test, p = .008). Stronger associations were observed in the RWG, including cognitive gains (Stroop test, p = .040), enhanced handgrip strength (p = .036), and reduced fat mass (pp= .021). Timed Up & Go and Five Times Sit to Stand Test were the strongest predictors of Metrnl changes.
These findings highlight Metrnl's potential as a biomarker linking exercise to reduced inflammation and improved physical and cognitive outcomes in older adults, supporting its relevance in developing targeted exercise-based therapies.
类 Meteorin 蛋白（Metrnl）参与调节炎症、代谢和肌肉再生，使其成为一个有前景的治疗靶点。基于先前的研究，我们调查了运动引起的 Metrnl 变化与炎症标志物、身体功能和认知表现之间的关系。这项随机对照试验研究了为期 12 周的运动干预对 90 名社区居住的老年人（≥65 岁）循环 Metrnl（一种新型生物标志物）的影响。
参与者被随机分为步行组（WG）、阻力与步行联合组（RWG）或积极对照组（CG）。干预组进行中等强度运动；根据特定年龄的步数目标步行，并每周进行两次阻力训练。在干预前后采集血样并评估身体和认知功能。
79 名参与者成功完成了研究。12 周后，与 CG 组相比，RWG 组和 WG 组的血清 Metrnl 水平均显著升高（WG 组与 CG 组比较：p = 0.002；RWG 组与 CG 组比较：p = 0.004）。Metrnl 的变化与炎症标志物（IL - 6，p = 0.048；TNF -α，p = 0.040）、身体活动（p = 0.041）和身体功能（起立行走试验，p = 0.004；五次坐立试验，p = 0.008）的改善相关。在 RWG 组中观察到更强的关联，包括认知能力提高（斯特鲁普测验，p = 0.040）、握力增强（p = 0.036）和脂肪量减少（p = 0.021）。起立行走试验和五次坐立试验是 Metrnl 变化的最强预测指标。
这些发现突出了 Metrnl 作为一种生物标志物的潜力，它将运动与老年人炎症减轻以及身体和认知结果改善联系起来，支持其在开发基于运动的靶向治疗中的相关性。
