Relationship of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-  With Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength in Elderly Men and Women: The Health ABC Study

Higher plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha are associated with lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength in well-functioning older men and women. Higher cytokine levels, as often observed in healthy older persons, may contribute to the loss of muscle mass and strength that accompanies aging.