PTMDP (Post-translational Modification Derived Products) as Markers of Frailty in Elderly Subjects

Epidemiological data from Europe have shown that around 30% of subjects aged over 65 years of age are pre-frail, and 15% are frail. Recent research has demonstrated that identifying frailty and implementing preventive measures can help to slow cognitive decline. Screening and treating frailty seem to be a good start towards preventing dependency.

On the premise that this frailty is the result of more pronounced tissue alterations in certain elderly subjects, assessment of post-translational modification derived products (PTMDP) represents an innovative evaluation method. These include advanced glycation end-products (AGE), and carbamylation-derived products (homocitrulline). Indeed, the intensity of these modifications increases with ageing, and assessing the products resulting from these alterations could show the existence of differences according to frailty status. This would make it possible to adapt treatment accordingly in elderly subjects.