Age-Related Changes in the Molecular Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass

Sarcopenia was originally conceptualized as the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. Over the ensuing decades, the conceptual definition of sarcopenia has changed to represent a condition in older adults that is characterized by declining muscle mass and function, with “function” most commonly conceived as muscle weakness and/or impaired physical performance (e.g., slow gait speed). Findings over the past 15-years, however, have demonstrated that changes in grip and leg extensor strength are not primarily due to muscle atrophy per se, and that to a large extent, are reflective of declines in the integrity of the nervous system. This article briefly summarizes findings relating to the complex neuromuscular mechanisms that contribute to reductions in muscle function associated with advancing age, and the implications of these findings on the development of effective therapies.

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Hurrah for the increasing longevity: feasible strategies to counteract age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports ◽

10.1111/sms.12415 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 1-2 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

L. Holm ◽

A. P. Jespersen ◽

D. S. Nielsen ◽

M. B. Frøst ◽

S. Reitelseder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Age Related

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Aging, exercise, and muscle protein metabolism

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.91551.2008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 106 (6) ◽

pp. 2040-2048 ◽

Cited By ~ 197

Author(s):

René Koopman ◽

Luc J. C. van Loon

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Protein Synthesis ◽

Food Intake ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Age Related

Aging is accompanied by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, leading to the loss of functional capacity and an increased risk of developing chronic metabolic disease. The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass is attributed to a disruption in the regulation of skeletal muscle protein turnover, resulting in an imbalance between muscle protein synthesis and degradation. As basal (fasting) muscle protein synthesis rates do not seem to differ substantially between the young and elderly, many research groups have started to focus on the muscle protein synthetic response to the main anabolic stimuli, i.e., food intake and physical activity. Recent studies suggest that the muscle protein synthetic response to food intake is blunted in the elderly. The latter is now believed to represent a key factor responsible for the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass. Physical activity and/or exercise stimulate postexercise muscle protein accretion in both the young and elderly. However, the latter largely depends on the timed administration of amino acids and/or protein before, during, and/or after exercise. Prolonged resistance type exercise training represents an effective therapeutic strategy to augment skeletal muscle mass and improve functional performance in the elderly. The latter shows that the ability of the muscle protein synthetic machinery to respond to anabolic stimuli is preserved up to very old age. Research is warranted to elucidate the interaction between nutrition, exercise, and the skeletal muscle adaptive response. The latter is needed to define more effective strategies that will maximize the therapeutic benefits of lifestyle intervention in the elderly.

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Clinical Characteristics of Geriatric Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

10.21203/rs.3.rs-812124/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihito Sakai ◽

Norimitsu Wakao ◽

Hiroki Matsui ◽

Tsuyoshi Watanabe ◽

Hiroki Iida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Whole Body ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽

Distribution Width ◽

Age Related ◽

Lumbar Degeneration

Abstract Although the prevalence and the associated burden of LBP increase with age, research on LBP has primarily focused on young people and adults, and little attention has been given to the elderly population. Chronic inflammation is well-known as senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which produces numerous proinflammatory cytokines leading to age-related inflammation. We enrolled 203 patients with an average age of 79.0 years, with non-specific CLBP; the patients were compared with age- and sex-matched controls without CLBP using a propensity score-matched analysis. We performed laboratory analysis, radiographic evaluations for global spinal parameter and lumbar degeneration assessment, and body composition analysis using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We observed a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW), as well as a lower skeletal muscle mass index and a higher fat mass in patients with CLBP. Moreover, patients with geriatric CLBP had significantly lower lumbar lordosis, and higher sagittal vertical axis was correlated with lower muscle mass in the extremities and trunk, independent of lumbar degeneration. Geriatric CLBP is associated with senescence. RDW, which is an index of aging, was high among elderly patients with CLBP. Furthermore, geriatric patients with CLBP often have age-related skeletal muscle mass reduction and spinal sagittal malalignment.

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