Sarcopenia, a multifaceted syndrome characterized by muscle atrophy, dynapenia, and diminished muscle function, poses a significant health challenge, particularly in aging populations. Recognizing nutrition as a modifiable risk factor, there is growing interest in protein supplementation as a strategy to mitigate sarcopenia’s deleterious effects, especially among the elderly. Current guidelines propose higher protein intake than the recommended dietary allowance, acknowledging the heightened amino acid demand of aged muscles to stimulate protein synthesis optimally.

Vimentin, a type III intermediate filament protein expressed in various mesenchymal cells, is emerging as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia. Vimentin has been implicated in cellular processes such as the maintenance of cytoskeletal integrity, cell adhesion, and signaling. Its dysregulation has been associated with various pathological conditions, including muscle wasting disorders. By assessing its correlation with muscle loss and functional decline, we aim to elucidate its diagnostic utility and prognostic value.

In this context, a randomized controlled trial investigating he effects of oral protein supplementation on sarcopenia in hospitalized patients, using serum vimentin as a novel biomarker to assess outcomes will be conducted at Saveetha Medical College Hospital, involving 50 patients aged 40 and above. Muscle mass, strength, functional status, and serum vimentin levels will be measured at baseline and two weeks later to evaluate the impact of oral protein supplementation. The study aims to establish vimentin as a reliable biomarker for sarcopenia and to provide evidence supporting protein supplementation as an effective intervention for mitigating muscle loss in hospitalized patients.