The association between oxidative stress and risk of sarcopenia: a Mendelian randomisation study

This study aimed to evaluate the causal link between oxidative stress and sarcopenia using Mendelian randomisation (MR). Instrumental variables (IVs) at the genome-wide significance level were gathered from a published summary database, and the inverse variance weighted approach and many other MR methods were used to assess the causal relationship between oxidative stress and risk of sarcopenia. Inverse variance weighting analysis showed absolute α-tocopherol levels, and absolute circulating retinol levels had a direct causal effect on handgrip strength. In addition, walking pace was linked to genetically predicted circulating α-tocopherol and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, genetically predicted oxidative stress-related characteristics did not exhibit any causal relationship with appendicular lean mass. Our findings indicate that α-tocopherol and retinol boost grip strength and life quality in sarcopenia. Despite affecting walking pace, SOD’s protection suggests gait speed can improve with antioxidant adjustments.