July 25, 2025
Journal Article
Investigating the role of adipose tissue in mobility and aging: design and methods of the Adipose Tissue ancillary of the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA-AT)
Abstract
Background. Age-related changes in adipose tissue impact chronic medical diseases and mobility disability but mechanism remains poorly understood. The goal of this study is to define methods for phenotyping unique characteristics of adipose tissue from older adults. Methods. Older adults enrolled in Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging selected for the adipose tissue ancillary (SOMMA-AT; N=210, 52.38% women, 76.12±4.37 years) were assessed for regional adiposity by whole-body magnetic resonance (AMRA) and underwent a needle-aspiration biopsy of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT). ASAT biopsies were flash frozen, fixed, or processed for downstream applications and deposited at the biorepository. Biopsy yields, qualitative features, adipocyte sizes, and concentration of adipokines secreted in ASAT explant conditioned media were measured. Inter-measure Spearman correlations were determined. Results. Regional, but not total, adiposity differed by sex: women had greater ASAT mass (8.20±2.73kg, pPublished: July 25, 2025