Articles tagged with Skeletal Muscle
Researchers at CNIC have discovered a crucial mechanism underlying the contractile structures in both hearts and skeletal muscles. The study reveals how Chd4/NuRD acts as a molecular key to shut down one muscle program in another, leading to hybrid striated muscles that can cause severe myocardiopathies and polymyositis-type myopathies.
Several laboratories are developing exercise pills targeting skeletal muscle performance, aiming to improve strength and energy use. However, the benefits of exercise extend beyond muscular improvements, and it's unrealistic to expect pills to fully substitute physical exercise.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a protein that causes age-related muscle weakness and loss. They also discovered two natural compounds, found in apples and green tomatoes, which reduce this protein's activity and can restore muscle mass and strength.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that diaphragm muscle cells and limb skeletal muscle cells respond differently to exercise training in diabetic rats. This discovery could influence future research on respiratory failure in individuals with diabetes.
Researchers successfully generated mature, functional skeletal muscles in mice by growing cells in a dish and implanting the graft near a normal muscle. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for various muscle disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
A new study reveals that long-term endurance training affects thousands of DNA methylation sites and genes associated with improved muscle function and health. The research also found epigenetic differences between male and female skeletal muscle, which may lead to gender-specific therapies in the future.
A new study published in the FASEB Journal reveals never-before-detected gene activity and sex differences in human skeletal muscle. The research found that men have approximately 400 more active genes than women, providing a reference for future studies on muscle disease and dysfunction.
Researchers found that exercise training induces changes in skeletal muscle that prevent the accumulation of a substance called kynurenine, which is associated with depressive behavior. In contrast, genetically modified mice with well-trained muscle characteristics showed no depressive symptoms despite being exposed to stress.
Researchers used autologous vein grafts to bridge 10-mm segments of tibial nerves in rat gastrocnemius muscles, finding no significant differences in muscle spindle reinnervation between experimental groups. This suggests that autologous vein grafts provide comparable sensory reinnervation results as immediate end-to-end anastomosis.
Research suggests that heat shock protein (HSP90) overexpression contributes to dopaminergic neuronal death and muscle abnormalities in PD. Exercise training has been shown to inhibit HSP90 overexpression, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating PD-related skeletal muscle issues.
A team led by Dr. Edward Debold is using a single molecule laser trap assay to directly observe muscle fatigue at the molecular level. They aim to understand how metabolites disrupt muscle contraction and develop new drug therapies to enhance function under fatigue-like conditions.
The BRCA1 gene is expressed in skeletal muscle cells and plays a critical role in fat storage, insulin response, and mitochondrial function. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene may increase the risk of metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have identified two key pathways affecting skeletal muscle renewal, which could lead to the development of therapeutic treatments for age-related muscle wasting. The study found that altering these pathways enhances muscle stem cell renewal and improves muscle regeneration in aged mice.
A Wayne State University researcher is studying the effects of exercise on a process that plays a critical role in insulin signaling within skeletal muscle. He aims to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for improved insulin action after exercise and provide novel targets for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which Sirt1 promotes neural activity in the brain, leading to significant delays in aging and increases in longevity. The study found that mice with increased Sirt1 expression in their brains exhibited dramatic physical changes, including improved muscle structure and vigor.
A new therapeutic technique repairs and rebuilds skeletal muscle using a combination of mesoangioblast stem cells and hydrogel cell-carrier matrix. The study demonstrates improved engraftment, survival, and integration of the stem cells into regenerating muscle fibers.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation identifies a rare mutation in the DGAT1 gene as the cause of congenital diarrheal disorder. Additionally, research on natriuretic peptides reveals their role in enhancing human skeletal muscle metabolism and increasing fat oxidation.
Researchers found that HEXIM1 blocks gene expression necessary for muscle regeneration after injury, leading to increased muscle mass and function in mice with reduced HEXIM1 levels. This suggests that HEXIM1 may be a key regulator of skeletal muscle regeneration and a potential therapeutic target for degenerative muscle diseases.
Researchers found distinct differences in how muscle affects bone microstructure between men and women, with muscle mass linked to bone strength at specific locations. The study also identified a biomarker, IGFBP-2, that can help predict people at higher risk for falls and fractures.
A team of researchers has identified Sirt1 as a crucial protein linking caloric restriction to improved insulin action in skeletal muscle. This finding provides new targets for therapeutics to reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Mutations in RYR1 lead to calcium release channel dysfunction, causing dominant-negative effect that reduces muscle force generation. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the consequences of this mutation in muscle fibers.
A new $2.1 million NIH grant will help MU scientist Dongsheng Duan develop a treatment that prevents heart muscles from weakening due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Tests have shown that treating skeletal muscle alone can lead to complications, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment targeting both skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine used mice engineered to lack specific molecules to show that growth hormone controls skeletal muscle development via IGF-1, but not nutrient uptake. This study provides insights into the use of growth hormone or analogs for promoting muscle development and reducing muscle loss.
A new study at McMaster University shows that using lighter weights can build muscle just as effectively as heavier ones. The key is to lift until fatigue sets in, pumping iron for a specific duration.
Researchers found that excessive HSP10 production can preserve muscle strength and halt the aging process. The study, funded by BBSRC, suggests that artificially increasing HSP10 levels could be used as a therapeutic measure to prevent age-related muscle loss.
A study in JCB identifies TWEAK as a key trigger for muscle breakdown in disused skeletal muscle. Blocking this pathway could prevent muscle loss in immobilized patients. Inhibiting TWEAK with an antibody was sufficient to block muscle breakdown, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Researchers identify potential new targets for preventing early loss of transplanted pancreatic islets, which could improve the efficiency of pancreatic islet transplantation. Meanwhile, studies show that engineering macrophages to store triacylglycerol protects mice from diet-induced insulin resistance and inflammation.
Researchers at Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) have cured mice with a congenital myopathy disorder that causes babies to be born without normal muscle function. They achieved this by replacing missing skeletal muscle actin with heart actin, allowing the mice to live normally into old age.
Researchers found that a heart muscle protein, ACTC, can compensate for a lack of skeletal muscle protein, ACTA1, in mice with myopathy. Mice with this compensation survived more than three months and showed improved endurance, locomotor performance, and muscle strength.
Scientists at Maastricht University have discovered that mitochondrial uncoupling occurs naturally in human skeletal muscle cells when exposed to mild cold. This process can increase energy consumption, potentially leading to new obesity treatments. Further research is needed to identify the proteins responsible for uncoupling.
Case Western Reserve researchers have bred a line of 'mighty mice' with the ability to run five to six kilometers at high speeds. The mice utilize fatty acids for energy and produce little lactic acid, allowing them to maintain endurance over extended periods.
A study reveals a new mechanism controlling how stem cells become either skeletal or smooth muscle cells, with implications for treating heart disease and cancer. The discovery of myocardin suggests new ways to treat diseases driven by stem cell replacement programs.
The study found that therapies boosting adiponectin might be beneficial for treating insulin resistance and diabetes. Adiponectin increases mitochondrial number and function in skeletal muscle, exerting antidiabetic effects.
Researchers found that injecting mice with gene therapy containing myostatin propeptide accelerated muscle regeneration and reduced fibrosis after injury. This approach could significantly reduce recovery time for athletes and lead to more complete functional recovery.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise can improve muscle health and endurance capacity similar to traditional endurance training. The study showed a significant increase in citrate synthase, an enzyme indicating tissue oxygen utilization, in trained subjects.
Researchers used genetic tools to study the effects of exercise and diet on obesity and diabetes. The study found that aerobic training increased key metabolic enzymes in skeletal muscle, improving glucose metabolism and reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers found that resistance exercise can alter the expression of clock genes in human skeletal muscle, causing a phase shift similar to winding on (resetting) the muscle clock. This suggests that peripheral clocks can regulate themselves independently of the central clock.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that muscle capillaries respond differently to exercise in men and women. Women's skeletal muscle increased in capillary density after 24 weeks of supervised exercise training, while men did not. Both genders showed similar improvements in exercise capacity.
Researchers have successfully transmitted electrical signals in rat hearts using tissue-engineered cells, which may lead to a new treatment for heart block. The cells formed connections with cardiac cells and developed an electrical pathway within 10 weeks of implantation.
Researchers found high levels of prions in skeletal muscle of mice, which may lead to transmission in cattle. The team suggests investigating the distribution of prions in the muscles of animals with prion diseases to improve diagnostic tools and disease understanding.
Scientists have developed genetically-altered mice that resist diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance by producing uncoupling protein-1 in muscle tissue. This protein burns excess energy as heat instead of storing it as fat, mirroring the effects of exercise on weight loss.
Researchers transplanted skeletal muscle cells directly into a damaged area of the heart in a Phase I trial to test their potential to repair and strengthen heart contractions. The goal is to improve cardiac function and determine cell survival.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that walking and weight loss reduced midthigh fat and improved glucose metabolism in older obese women. The intervention resulted in significant decreases in body weight, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels, as well as improvements in aerobic capacity.
Researchers from Children's National Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh successfully reverse muscle damage caused by limb girdle muscular dystrophy using gene therapy. The non-toxic virus-based approach increases muscle strength and size by nearly 100% in animal tests, paving the way for potential treatment of Duchenne muscula...
Researchers discovered that mice lacking myoglobin survive normally despite their inability to transport oxygen. Further study will explore alternative genes that enable the heart and muscles to function correctly.
A molecule discovered in a University of Illinois laboratory has pivotal roles in muscle formation and stabilization. Research finds Alpha 7 integrin deficiency positively linked to three cases of congenital muscular dystrophy, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a molecular pathway that converts fast strength muscle fibers into slow endurance muscles. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that restore endurance muscle tissue in individuals with congestive heart failure or diabetes.
Researchers found that varying pulse patterns, rather than regular intervals, can increase muscle force and duration in people with paralysis. This breakthrough could lead to improved control and mobility for individuals with severe paralysis, such as those affected by Christopher Reeve's condition.
Researchers have created a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, allowing for study of both skeletal muscle and heart disease. The double mutant mouse develops severe symptoms, including muscle wasting and heart disease, similar to humans with the disorder.
Researchers have identified key features of cardiac troponin C, a protein that regulates muscle contraction. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapies for patients with congestive heart failure, by targeting calcium binding to regulatory proteins.
Researchers at UW-Madison found that limiting calorie intake later in life can stall muscle deterioration associated with aging. The study shows promise for human health, particularly for addressing sarcopenia, a condition contributing to physical frailty in older people.
A new study at Ohio University found that changes in muscle cells with aging limit muscle growth, and the number of special cells required for muscle growth decreases as people age. This reduction limits how much a muscle can grow.
A recent study suggests that combining creatine supplements with extra carbohydrates can increase muscle creatine levels by 60% and muscle glycogen levels. This combination allows athletes to improve performance in both aerobic exercise and short, intense bursts of strength.