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SLU researchers find key to muscle regeneration

SLU researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding muscle regeneration, identifying the nuclear receptor REV-ERB as a key player. By targeting this receptor, scientists may be able to develop new drugs to treat a range of muscle disorders and injuries, including muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalMolecular Metabolism·DateJun 14, 2017

CNIC researchers discover the molecular mechanisms that produce the heart's contractile structure

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.

Can exercise be replaced with a pill?

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences·DateOct 2, 2015

Keeping older muscles strong

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.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 8, 2015

Scientists grow leg muscle from cells in a dish

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.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2015

Sensory reinnervation of muscle spindles after TN defect repaired by autologous vein graft

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.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateSep 2, 2014

Aging really is 'in your head'

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 3, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 1, 2012

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2012

Putting a 'HEX' on muscle regeneration

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 1, 2012

'SIRT(ain)' benefit of reducing calories

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 10, 2011

Going from strength to strength: effects of growth hormone on 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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 1, 2010

TWEAK triggers atrophy of disused muscle

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.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 22, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 1, 2010

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2010

Heart saves muscle

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.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 25, 2009

The fight against obesity -- a new insight

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 11, 2008

A few 30 second sprints as beneficial as hour long jog

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.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateJun 1, 2005

Resistance exercise resets the body clock

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 24, 2003

Weight loss and walking in older obese women produces extra health benefits

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.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 27, 2000

Effects of Muscular Dystrophy reversed by gene therapy, reports team fromChildren's National Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh

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...

Creatine Plus Carbohydrates May Help Performance

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.