Examining how p16INK4a expression levels are linked to handgrip strength in the elderly

Although many studies have shown that p16(INK4a) is more highly expressed in the human body during senescence, studies on its relevance to handgrip strength among old adults, are relatively sparse. We enrolled 205 community-dwelling old adults aged 65 years and older without specific medical conditions. Handgrip strength of the dominant hand was measured. Low handgrip strength was defined as the lowest quartile of handgrip strength among the participants. RNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cells. Use quantitative polymerase chain reaction to estimate the p16(INK4a) mRNA expression level. The average handgrip strength was 25.22 ± 8.98 kg, and gender difference was observed. In the linear regression model, the p16(INK4a) mRNA expression level was significantly negatively associated with handgrip strength in men but not in women. The β coefficient, representing the change of handgrip strength for each increment in the p16(INK4a) mRNA expression level, was -0.208 (p = 0.024) among old men. The negative association remained after additional covariates adjustment. In the multiple logistic regression model among old men, the odds ratio (OR) of low handgrip strength was 1.246 (p = 0.032). In this study, we observed the p16(INK4a) mRNA expression level was negative associated with handgrip strength among community-dwelling old men.