Nutritional influences on age-related skeletal muscle loss

Age-related muscle loss impacts on whole-body metabolism and leads to frailty and sarcopenia, which are risk factors for fractures and mortality. Although nutrients are integral to muscle metabolism the relationship between nutrition and muscle loss has only been extensively investigated for protein and amino acids. The objective of the present paper is to describe other aspects of nutrition and their association with skeletal muscle mass. Mechanisms for muscle loss relate to imbalance in protein turnover with a number of anabolic pathways of which the mechanistic TOR pathway and the IGF-1–Akt–FoxO pathways are the most characterised. In terms of catabolism the ubiquitin proteasome system, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, oxidation and insulin resistance are among the major mechanisms proposed. The limited research associating vitamin D, alcohol, dietary acid–base load, dietary fat and anti-oxidant nutrients with age-related muscle loss is described. Vitamin D may be protective for muscle loss; a more alkalinogenic diet and diets higher in the anti-oxidant nutrients vitamin C and vitamin E may also prevent muscle loss. Although present recommendations for prevention of sarcopenia focus on protein, and to some extent on vitamin D, other aspects of the diet including fruits and vegetables should be considered. Clearly, more research into other aspects of nutrition and their role in prevention of muscle loss is required.

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Targeting Age-Dependent Functional and Metabolic Decline of Human Skeletal Muscle: The Geroprotective Role of Exercise, Myokine IL-6, and Vitamin D

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21031010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 1010 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Clara Crescioli

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Vitamin D ◽

The Elderly ◽

Whole Body ◽

Nutrient Level ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Age Related ◽

Current Perspective ◽

Age Dependent ◽

Distant Organ

In the elderly, whole-body health largely relies on healthy skeletal muscle, which controls body stability, locomotion, and metabolic homeostasis. Age-related skeletal muscle structural/functional deterioration is associated with a higher risk of severe comorbid conditions and poorer outcomes, demanding major socioeconomic costs. Thus, the need for efficient so-called geroprotective strategies to improve resilience and ensure a good quality of life in older subjects is urgent. Skeletal muscle senescence and metabolic dysregulation share common cellular/intracellular mechanisms, potentially representing targets for intervention to preserve muscle integrity. Many factors converge in aging, and multifaceted approaches have been proposed as interventions, although they have often been inconclusive. Physical exercise can counteract aging and metabolic deficits, not only in maintaining tissue mass, but also by preserving tissue secretory function. Indeed, skeletal muscle is currently considered a proper secretory organ controlling distant organ functions through immunoactive regulatory small peptides called myokines. This review provides a current perspective on the main biomolecular mechanisms underlying age-dependent and metabolic deterioration of skeletal muscle, herein discussed as a secretory organ, the functional integrity of which largely depends on exercise and myokine release. In particular, muscle-derived interleukin (IL)-6 is discussed as a nutrient-level biosensor. Overall, exercise and vitamin D are addressed as optimal geroprotective strategies in view of their multi-target effects.

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Understanding Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Metabolism: Differences Between Females and Males

Annual Review of Nutrition ◽

10.1146/annurev-nutr-071715-050901 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 129-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Brandon J.F. Gheller ◽

Emily S. Riddle ◽

Melinda R. Lem ◽

Anna E. Thalacker-Mercer

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Muscle Metabolism ◽

Skeletal Muscle Metabolism ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

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ULK1 and ULK2 modulate skeletal muscle homeostasis and whole-body metabolism

10.17077/etd.005643 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jordan D Fuqua

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Whole Body ◽

Whole Body Metabolism ◽

Muscle Homeostasis

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Late-onset caloric restriction alters skeletal muscle metabolism by modulating pyruvate metabolism

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00508.2014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 308 (11) ◽

pp. E942-E949 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Chiao-nan (Joyce) Chen ◽

Shang-Ying Lin ◽

Yi-Hung Liao ◽

Zhen-jie Li ◽

Alice May-Kuen Wong

Keyword(s):

Energy Metabolism ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽

Muscle Metabolism ◽

Muscle Loss ◽

Aged Rats ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Pyruvate Metabolism ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Dependent

Caloric restriction (CR) attenuates age-related muscle loss. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for this attenuation is not fully understood. This study evaluated the role of energy metabolism in the CR-induced attenuation of muscle loss. The aims of this study were twofold: 1) to evaluate the effect of CR on energy metabolism and determine its relationship with muscle mass, and 2) to determine whether the effects of CR are age dependent. Young and middle-aged rats were randomized into either 40% CR or ad libitum (AL) diet groups for 14 wk. Major energy-producing pathways in muscles, i.e., glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), were examined. We found that the effects of CR were age dependent. CR improved muscle metabolism and normalized muscle mass in middle-aged animals but not young animals. CR decreased glycolysis and increased the cellular dependency for OXPHOS vs. glycolysis in muscles of middle-aged rats, which was associated with the improvement of normalized muscle mass. The metabolic reprogramming induced by CR was related to modulation of pyruvate metabolism and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Compared with animals fed AL, middle-aged animals with CR had lower lactate dehydrogenase A content and greater mitochondrial pyruvate carrier content. Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, including AMPK activation levels and SIRT1 and COX-IV content, also showed increased levels. In conclusion, 14 wk of CR improved muscle metabolism and preserved muscle mass in middle-aged animals but not in young developing animals. CR-attenuated age-related muscle loss is associated with reprogramming of the metabolic pathway from glycolysis to OXPHOS.

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Skeletal muscle thermogenesis enables aquatic life in the smallest marine mammal

Science ◽

10.1126/science.abf4557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 373 (6551) ◽

pp. 223-225

Author(s):

Traver Wright ◽

Randall W. Davis ◽

Heidi C. Pearson ◽

Michael Murray ◽

Melinda Sheffield-Moore

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Basal Metabolic Rate ◽

Tissue Level ◽

Whole Body ◽

Sea Otter ◽

Aquatic Life ◽

Respiratory Capacity ◽

Metabolic Remodeling ◽

Whole Body Metabolism

Basal metabolic rate generally scales with body mass in mammals, and variation from predicted levels indicates adaptive metabolic remodeling. As a thermogenic adaptation for living in cool water, sea otters have a basal metabolic rate approximately three times that of the predicted rate; however, the tissue-level source of this hypermetabolism is unknown. Because skeletal muscle is a major determinant of whole-body metabolism, we characterized respiratory capacity and thermogenic leak in sea otter muscle. Compared with that of previously sampled mammals, thermogenic muscle leak capacity was elevated and could account for sea otter hypermetabolism. Muscle respiratory capacity was modestly elevated and reached adult levels in neonates. Premature metabolic development and high leak rate indicate that sea otter muscle metabolism is regulated by thermogenic demand and is the source of basal hypermetabolism.

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Skeletal muscle enhancer interactions identify genes controlling whole-body metabolism

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-16537-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kristine Williams ◽

Lars R. Ingerslev ◽

Jette Bork-Jensen ◽

Martin Wohlwend ◽

Ann Normann Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Whole Body ◽

Whole Body Metabolism

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Effect of respiratory alkalosis on skeletal muscle metabolism in the dog

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1985.58.2.658 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 658-664 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. G. Brice ◽

H. G. Welch

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Hind Limb ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽

Minute Ventilation ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Muscle Metabolism ◽

Respiratory Alkalosis ◽

Whole Body ◽

Venous Blood Flow ◽

Skeletal Muscle Metabolism

These experiments were conducted to determine whether changes in skeletal muscle metabolism contribute to the previously reported increase in whole-body O2 uptake (VO2) during respiratory alkalosis. The hind-limb and gastrocnemius-plantaris preparations in anesthetized and paralyzed dogs were used. VO2 of the hindlimb and gastrocnemius muscle was calculated from measurements of venous blood flow and arterial and venous O2 concentrations (Van Slyke analysis). Whole-body VO2 was measured by the open-circuit method. Minute ventilation (hence blood gases and pH) was controlled by a mechanical respirator. Whole-body, hind-limb, and gastrocnemius muscle VO2 increased 14, 19, and 20%, respectively, during alkalosis (P less than 0.05). In all experiments, arterial lactate concentration increased significantly (P less than 0.05) during alkalosis. A positive venoarterial lactate difference across muscle during alkalosis indicated that skeletal muscle is a source of the elevated blood lactate. We concluded that VO2 of resting skeletal muscle is increased during states of respiratory alkalosis and that this increase can account for much of the increase in whole-body VO2.

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Impact of Melatonin on Skeletal Muscle and Exercise

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9020288 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 288 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alessandra Stacchiotti ◽

Gaia Favero ◽

Luigi Fabrizio Rodella

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Human Aging ◽

Muscle Disorders ◽

Age Related ◽

Anti Oxidant ◽

Therapeutic Tools ◽

Skeletal Muscle Disorders ◽

Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Skeletal muscle disorders are dramatically increasing with human aging with enormous sanitary costs and impact on the quality of life. Preventive and therapeutic tools to limit onset and progression of muscle frailty include nutrition and physical training. Melatonin, the indole produced at nighttime in pineal and extra-pineal sites in mammalians, has recognized anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Mitochondria are the favorite target of melatonin, which maintains them efficiently, scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage. Here, we discuss the most recent evidence of dietary melatonin efficacy in age-related skeletal muscle disorders in cellular, preclinical, and clinical studies. Furthermore, we analyze the emerging impact of melatonin on physical activity. Finally, we consider the newest evidence of the gut–muscle axis and the influence of exercise and probably melatonin on the microbiota. In our opinion, this review reinforces the relevance of melatonin as a safe nutraceutical that limits skeletal muscle frailty and prolongs physical performance.

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