Diabetes is linked to various health problems including a decline in muscle mass.
Scientists from Kobe University found that elevation of blood sugar levels leads to muscle atrophy and that two proteins, WWP1 and KLF15, play key roles in this phenomenon.
The research is published in JCI Insight and was conducted by Professor Wataru Ogawa et al.
Muscle mass decline linked to aging impairs our physical activity, making us susceptible to a variety of health problems and thus leading to shortened lifespans.
Age-dependent muscle mass decline and the consequent impairment of physical activity is known as “sarcopenia,” a serious health burden in aging societies.
Previous studies have found that patients with diabetes are prone to muscle loss as they age, but an underlining mechanism for this phenomenon remains unclear.
Diabetes is a disease caused by insufficient action of the hormone insulin.
Insulin not only lowers blood sugar levels but promotes the growth and proliferation of cells; insufficient action of insulin has been thought to result in the suppression of growth and proliferation of muscle cells, which in turn contribute to the decline in skeletal muscle mass.
In the study, the team made the surprising discovery that a rise in blood sugar levels triggers the decline in muscle mass, and they uncovered the important roles of two proteins in this phenomenon.
They showed for the first time that elevation of blood sugar levels triggers muscle mass decline and that the two proteins WWP1 and KLF15 contribute to diabetes-induced muscle mass decline.
The team says if doctors can develop a drug that strengthens the function of WWP1 or weakens the function of KLF15, it would lead to a groundbreaking new treatment.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
