All articles tagged with #skeletal muscle
A blueberry-derived compound, pterostilbene, stabilizes the fat-regulating protein PPARδ in skeletal muscle cells, enhancing fatty acid oxidation and reducing stored lipids by slowing PPARδ degradation. The effect was shown in cultured mouse muscle cells, suggesting potential for dietary strategies to support metabolic health, but it has not yet been demonstrated in animals or humans.
A cross-sectional study of 2,264 adults from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort finds higher habitual coffee intake is associated with lower total and visceral fat and greater skeletal muscle mass, plus metabolic and sex-hormone pattern differences between men and women; the study does not establish that coffee causes these changes.
60-day bed rest in healthy adults causes muscle atrophy and altered maximal exercise responses without changing fiber type, whereas long COVID and ME/CFS patients show more glycolytic fibers (with ME/CFS showing type I–specific atrophy); oxidative phosphorylation capacity only links to maximal oxygen uptake after bed rest, indicating that inactivity alone cannot explain the reduced exercise capacity in these patients, suggesting disease-specific skeletal muscle remodeling.
New Cornell-led research shows that even modest Vitamin B12 shortfalls can degrade aging muscle energy by harming mitochondria: B12 deficiency reduces mitochondrial DNA integrity and respiratory capacity, while short-term B12 supplementation in older mice doubled mitochondrial complex IV activity and boosted energy, suggesting blood B12 levels could guide precision nutrition to counter age-related muscle decline.
Research identifies RNA expression patterns linked to cachexia, a severe weight-loss syndrome associated with cancer that involves skeletal muscle wasting and is resistant to nutritional interventions, potentially leading to new treatment targets.
Researchers have created the first comprehensive atlas of aging muscles in humans, shedding light on the cellular and molecular changes that occur with aging. The study reveals new cell populations and compensatory mechanisms that muscles employ to combat aging, offering potential avenues for future therapies and interventions to improve muscle health and quality of life as we age. The findings provide valuable insights into healthy skeletal muscle aging and have the potential to inform strategies for promoting healthier aging in future generations.
Researchers at UCLA have made progress in developing stem cell therapies for regenerating skeletal muscle in humans. By transplanting lab-grown muscle stem cells into mice, they discovered the importance of the stem cell "niche" in supporting the survival and function of the cells. Removing existing stem cells and optimizing the muscle niche allowed the transplanted cells to persist and repair muscle injuries. The study highlights the need to optimize both the muscle niche and the muscle progenitor cells themselves for successful stem cell therapies in the future.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that the protein Musashi-2 (Msi2) plays a crucial role in regulating muscle mass and metabolic processes in skeletal muscle. By studying mice with the Msi2 gene knocked out, they found a decrease in muscle mass due to a reduction in type 2a muscle fibers, as well as decreased myoglobin and mitochondria. Understanding the regulation of type 2a fibers could lead to new therapies for muscle-related conditions and improve training regimens for muscle strength.
New research challenges the prevailing belief that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for the metabolic benefits of cold exposure. A team of Canadian researchers argues that skeletal muscles, not BAT, are the primary heat generator and drive the metabolism of glucose and lipids in cold temperatures. While BAT has been linked to lower body mass indices and improved metabolic health, it is only detectable in a small percentage of adults even in cold conditions. The researchers suggest that a more integrated perspective is needed, focusing on skeletal muscles as the main organ involved in heat production and energy expenditure during cold exposure. Further research is required to understand the full impact of cold exposure on metabolism and overall health.