Erythrocyte fatty acid patterns are associated with skeletal muscle mass in Chinese children.

Abstract

Background: Nutritional factors are important for skeletal muscle mass and grip strength development in children.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between erythrocyte membrane fatty acid patterns and skeletal muscle mass and grip strength in children.

Methods: A total of 452 children aged 6-9 years were included in this study. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Hand grip strength (HGS) was determined by the Jamar® Plus+ hand dynamometer (Sammons Preston, Bolingbrook, IL, USA). Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated, and the relative concentrations of 20 fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Factor analysis was used to explore the relationship between fatty acids and skeletal muscle mass and grip strength.

Results: Five fatty acid patterns (FAPs) were identified by factor analysis, and after adjusting for covariates, a multiple linear regression model showed that FAP2 (high C17:0, C20:5 n-3, C22:6 n-3) showed a negative correlation with ASM (β = -0.214; P<0.001), ASMI (β = -0.085; P<0.001) and left-hand grip strength (LHGS) (β = -0.235; P = 0.012). FAP3 (high C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C16:1 n-7, low C20:4 n-6) scores were positively correlated with ASM (β = 0.134, P = 0.017). No other associations between fatty acid patterns and skeletal muscle mass were found.

Conclusions: The relationship between different fatty acid patterns and skeletal muscle health in children aged 6-9 years may be different. The pattern characterized by higher concentrations of C17:0, C20:5 n-3, and C22:6 n-3 in erythrocyte membranes may be associated with lower skeletal muscle mass. The pattern featuring higher concentrations of C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C16:1 n-7, and lower concentrations of C20:4 n-6 may be protective factors for muscle mass.