Elucidation of the mechanisms of sarcopenia dysphagia and examination of the effectiveness of preventive drugs for muscular atrophy

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Sei Hirofumi 愛媛大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教(病院教員) (40601034)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 嚥下障害 / サルコペニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I conducted a molecular biology study using rats as an animal model to elucidate the pathophysiology of muscular atrophy of swallowing-related muscles. Superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the inferior pharyngeal contractile muscle were measured using ten rats in mature and aging groups, respectively (measured values: the values obtained by dividing the target values by the control ones). As a result of molecular biology studies, SOD-1 was 0.41 ± 0.15 in the mature group and 1.86 ± 0.07 in the aging group, showing a significant increase in the latter group. In addition, VEGF was 0.72 ± 0.12 in the mature group and 3.86 ± 0.10 in the aging group, showing a significant increase in the latter group. This study suggested that age-related oxidative stress may be involved in the muscular atrophy of swallowing-related muscles.

Free Research Field

嚥下障害

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

嚥下関連筋の筋萎縮の病態解明を目的としてラット動物モデルで分子生物学的検討を行なった。成熟群及び加齢群ラット１０匹ずつを用いてスーパーオキシドディスムターゼ（SOD-1）と血管内皮細胞増殖因子（VEGF）を下咽頭収縮筋で測定した（測定値：対象をコントロールで割った値）。分子生物学的検討の結果、SOD－１は成熟群で０．４１±０．１５、加齢群で１．８６±０．０７であり、有意に増加していた。また VEGFは成熟群で０．７２±０．１２、加齢群で３．８６±０．１０であり、有意に増加していた。本研究の結果、加齢に伴う酸化ストレスが嚥下関連筋の筋萎縮に関与している可能性が示唆された。