Associations between adiponectin and leptin levels and skeletal muscle mass and myosteatosis in older adults: The Shimanami Health Promoting Program study

Aim Identifying plasma molecules associated with skeletal muscle properties can elucidate the pathophysiology of sarcopenia. Because adipocytokines are a promising candidate marker, the current study aimed to clarify the possible associations between adiponectin and leptin levels and mid‐thigh muscle cross‐sectional area and mean attenuation value, which are indices of muscle mass and fat deposition in muscle, respectively. Methods The current study included 1440 older Japanese adults (mean age 69.3 years). Mid‐thigh skeletal muscle cross‐sectional area and mean attenuation value were evaluated through computed tomography scan. A low attenuation value showed a greater fat deposition in muscle. Circulating adiponectin and leptin levels were assessed using blood specimens collected during the baseline investigation. Results Plasma leptin level was inversely correlated with muscle cross‐sectional area, but not with attenuation value. The association with cross‐sectional area was independent of possible confounding factors including body size (Q1: reference; Q2: β = −0.032, P = 0.033; Q3: β = −0.064, P