Development of therapies for sarcopenia focusing on novel cell death mechanisms

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21271
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagasaki International University
• Principal Investigator: Eshima Hiroaki 長崎国際大学, 人間社会学部, 講師 (80759259)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 骨格筋 / 活性酸素 / サルコペニア / 筋力 / 過酸化脂質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated whether ferroptosis, a novel cell death mechanism, is associated with sarcopenia. We firts found that glutathione reductase 4 (Gpx4), a ferroptosis-related molecule, was significantly decreased at the protein level in skeletal muscle of aged mice compared to young mice. We also found Gpx4 overexpressed muscle significantly higher muscle mass and muscle strength during aging. Therefore, we clarified that ferroptosis is a novel mechanism for sarcopenia.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

超高齢化社会をむかえたわが国では、加齢による筋量・筋力の減少（サルコペニア）を予防することが健康寿命に直結する。本研究はサルコペニアの原因となる活性酸素の新たな中枢機構を見出し、サルコペニアの新規治療法となる機構を発見した。