Intestinal Permeability Associated with the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Strength in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural Area of Beijing, China

The association between intestinal permeability and sarcopenia remains unclear, and few studies have mentioned the relationship between intestinal permeability and skeletal muscle strength. The present cross-sectional community study was conducted in a rural area of Beijing to explore the association between intestinal permeability and handgrip strength (HGS) in middle-aged and older adults. Serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate were detected to evaluate intestinal permeability. Gut microbiota (GM) and its potential interaction were also analyzed in the decision tree model. HGS was negatively correlated with DAO (r = −0.396, p < 0.01) in males. The negative association between HGS and DAO remained significant with the adjustment of covariates (β = −1.401, p < 0.05). Serum DAO and LPS were both negatively associated with HGS in middle-aged and older males, with the significant interactions of GM in the decision tree model, and D-lactate showed a negative association with HGS in females. Therefore, intestinal permeability was associated with the loss of skeletal muscle strength in middle-aged and older adults, and serum DAO may be a novel predictor for the loss of skeletal muscle strength in middle-aged and older males.