2019-09-18 02:46:36
The microorganisms living in the intestines could help with muscle growth and function, opening new doors to interventions for age-related skeletal muscle loss. Evidence for a link between gut microbes and skeletal muscle mass was strengthened when the international research team transplanted gut microbes from standard laboratory mice into germfree mice. Muscle growth and function in the germ-free mice were partially restored following the transplant. The findings point to a new potential method for tackling age-related skeletal muscle loss by altering the gut microbe composition.
The researchers found that germfree mice had reduced levels of key proteins essential for the assembly and function of a neuromuscular junction - a chemical structure that allows a motor nerve cell to communicate with a skeletal muscle fibre. These junctions allow signals to be transmitted to the muscle fibre, causing muscle contraction.
Transplanting gut microbes into germ-free mice partially restored the expression of these key proteins to the level observed in mice with gut bacteria.
Upon examination, the research team found that on top of reduced skeletal muscle mass and increased expression of genes linked to muscle atrophy, the skeletal muscles in germfree mice also displayed problems with function and the generation of new mitochondria, whose role is to break down nutrients to form energy for cellular activity.
But when the researchers transplanted gut microbes from mice to germ-free mice, they found that these mice had their muscle growth and function partially restored, and showed reduced signs of muscle atrophy. The study builds on Prof Pettersson’s earlier studies on how gut microbes influence brain development, blood brain barrier integrity, and overall behaviour related to anxiety and fear.
— Nanyang Technological University
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