Butyryl-cholinesterase is related to muscle mass and strength. A new biomarker to identify elderly subjects at risk of sarcopenia

Aims: To determine the relationship between Butyryl-cholinesterase (alpha-glycoprotein synthesized in the liver, b-CHE) and muscle mass and strength. Methods: Muscle mass by bioimpedentiometer and muscle strength by grip strength were evaluated in 337 elderly subjects (mean age: 76.2 +/- 6.7 years) admitted to comprehensive geriatric assessment. Results: b-CHE levels were lower in sarcopenic than in nonsarcopenic elderly subjects (p < 0.01). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that b-CHE is linearly related with grip strength and muscular mass both in men and women (r = 0.45 and r = 0.33, p < 0.01; r = 0.55 and r = 0.39, p < 0.01; respectively). Multivariate analysis confirms this analysis. Conclusions: b-CHE is related to muscle mass and strength in elderly subjects. Thus, b-CHE may be considered to be a fair biomarker for identifying elderly subjects at risk of sarcopenia.