Biochimie · Jul 10, 2026

Altered plasma omega-3 fatty acids and nutritional status are associated with SARC-F based sarcopenia risk assessment in cardiovascular disease

By Bowbe K, Mehri S, M'hamdi H et al.

This study aimed to assess nutritional status, analyze fatty acid profile, evaluate oxidative stress markers, and examine their associations with sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular disease. Ninety-five adults over 60 years old with diagnosed CVD were enrolled. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire dividing patients into two groups: SARC-F- and SARC-F+. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®). Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) reflects adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet. Sarcopenia risk was identified in 56.84% of participants. Participants at risk of sarcopenia had significantly poorer nutritional status (p = 0.001) and lower MDS (p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed in saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas trans fatty acids and total omega-3 fatty acids, particularly C18:3 ω-3, were elevated in the SARC-F+ group (p = 0.009, 0.005 and 0.009 respectively). Logistic regression identified age, diabetes, poor nutritional status, and elevated omega-3 fatty acids and GPx as significant predictors of sarcopenia, with an inverse association for MDS and GSH. Elevated omega-3 fatty acid levels were associated with sarcopenia independently of age, sex, diabetes, and nutritional status, but this association appeared to be influenced by MDS, GPx and GSH. More else omega-3 fatty acids were positively associated with GPx (β = 0.117; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with GSH (β = -3.486; p = 0.01) only in patients without sarcopenia. These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and sarcopenia and may inform future nutritional strategies for its prevention.

doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2026.07.003PubMed 42431538Populations