AI Summary
A molecule has been found to enhance strength in mice by restoring connections between nerves and muscle fibers. The molecule blocks an aging-associated enzyme that increases in muscles as they age. This discovery suggests that the molecule could potentially be used to prevent muscle loss due to aging or disease. However, further research is needed to determine if similar results can be seen in humans. Sarcopenia, a condition that causes muscle frailty, affects a significant portion of the elderly population and is costly to the United States. This is the first time a drug treatment has been shown to affect both muscle fibers and motor neurons, making it a unique discovery.
A small molecule previously shown to enhance strength in injured or old laboratory mice does so by restoring lost connections between nerves and muscle fibers, Stanford Medicine researchers have found.
The molecule blocks the activity of an aging-associated enzyme, or gerozyme, called 15-PGDH that naturally increases in muscles as they age. The study showed that levels of the gerozyme increase in muscles after nerve damage and that it is prevalent in muscle fibers of people with neuromuscular diseases.
The research is the first to show that damaged motor neurons -; nerves connecting the spinal cord to muscles -; can be induced to regenerate in response to a drug treatment and that lost strength and muscle mass can be at least partially regained. It suggests that, if similar results are seen in humans, the drug may one day be used to prevent muscle loss of muscle strength due to aging or disease or to hasten recovery from injury.
It’s estimated that sarcopenia, or debilitating muscle frailty, affects about 30% of people over 80 and costs the United States around $380 billion each year.
There is an urgent, unmet need for drug treatments that can increase muscle strength due to aging, injury or disease. This is the first time a drug treatment has been shown to affect both muscle fibers and the motor neurons that stimulate them to contract in order to speed healing and restore strength and muscle mass. It’s unique.”
Helen Blau, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology