Researchers discover new way to prevent muscle loss - 19Dec2012

SINGAPORE: Scientists from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have discovered a technique to prevent muscle loss.

If successful, it could potentially pave the way for new treatments for aging, obesity and diabetes.

When people grow old, they lose muscle mass. Patients with chronic conditions like diabetes also suffer from muscle loss.

Studies have shown that rapid muscle deterioration is a major cause of death among patients suffering from diseases like cancer and chronic infection.

Researchers from NTU on Wednesday said they have found a way to block a certain protein found in the human body called myostatin, which is responsible for initiating muscle loss.

When myostatin is attached to a muscle cell, it causes the muscle cell to waste.

The scientists developed small molecules which prevent the protein from attaching itself to the muscle cell.

They said blocking myostatin keeps the body in a "fat-burning mode" and promotes muscle growth, which could target obesity.

As obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes, inhibiting myostatin could also treat the condition.

The team is now embarking on clinical research using human samples to further validate their findings which have been effective in animal trials.

Associate Professor Ravi Kambadur, NTU's School of Biological Sciences, said: "Our intention is to develop something that can be taken orally or given through injections, so that, for example, blood sugar levels can be controlled more efficiently, and obesity can be overcome."

Other than through pharmaceutical developments, the research team is also hoping to find natural inhibitors of myostatin -- such as those found in vegetables or fruits -- so that instead of using injections or pills, these natural inhibitors can be supplemented in the diet.

Associate Professor Kambadur, however, added that the long-term effects of blocking myostatin need to be studied as the protein is also needed to regulate cell growth for normal body operations.

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Hi sir, its very interesting video and fell happy about your discovery.