Live strong and prosper: the importance of skeletal muscle strength for healthy ageing

Abstract

Due to improved health care, diet and infrastructure in developed countries, since 1840 life expectancy has increased by approximately 2 years per decade. Accordingly, by 2050, a quarter of Europe’s population will be over 65 years, representing a 10 % rise in half a century. With this rapid rise comes an increased prevalence of diseases of ageing and associated healthcare expenditure. To address the health consequences of global ageing, research in model systems (worms, flies and mice) has indicated that reducing the rate of organ growth, via reductions in protein synthetic rates, has multi-organ health benefits that collectively lead to improvements in lifespan. In contrast, human pre-clinical, clinical and large cohort prospective studies demonstrate that ageing leads to anabolic (i.e. growth) impairments in skeletal muscle, which in turn leads to reductions in muscle mass and strength, factors directly associated with mortality rates in the elderly. As such, increasing muscle protein synthesis via exercise or protein-based nutrition maintains a strong, healthy muscle mass, which in turn leads to improved health, independence and functionality. The aim of this review is to critique current literature relating to the maintenance of muscle mass across lifespan and discuss whether maintaining or reducing protein synthesis is the most logical approach to support musculoskeletal function and by extension healthy human ageing.

The deterioration of muscle mass and radiodensity is prognostic of poor survival in stage I–III colorectal cancer: a population‐based cohort study (C‐SCANS)

“…Skeletal muscle secretes hundreds of myokine peptides that influence insulin sensitivity, inflammation, immune function, adipose tissue oxidation, and whole‐body metabolism . Moreover, skeletal muscle serves as a central determinant of physical strength and the ability to complete activities of daily living . Muscle wasting is characterized by the progressive deterioration of muscle mass or radiodensity (a novel radiologic measure of lipid contained within muscle) .…”

“…2 Moreover, skeletal muscle serves as a central determinant of physical strength and the ability to complete activities of daily living. 3 Muscle wasting is characterized by the progressive deterioration of muscle mass or radiodensity (a novel radiologic measure of lipid contained within muscle). 4,5 The causes of these muscle abnormalities are multifactorial, including metabolic alterations that promote a catabolic state, physical inactivity, nutritional deficiency, and cancer therapy.…”

Rbfox Splicing Factors Maintain Skeletal Muscle Mass by Regulating Calpain3 and Proteostasis

“…Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in metabolism (James et al, 2017; Rai and Demontis, 2016) and directly influences quality of life in aging and in chronic disease (McLeod et al, 2016). Muscle tissue also faces special challenges: it must generate considerable force on demand and is continually exposed to mechanical, temfigperature, and oxidative stresses.…”

Rbfox splicing factors maintain skeletal muscle mass by regulating calpain3 and proteostasis

“…Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in metabolism (James et al, 2017;Rai and Demontis, 2016) and directly influences quality of life in aging and in chronic disease (McLeod et al, 2016).…”