1. begins to decrease at approx. age 30
2. rate of decrease becomes much faster at age 50
3. decrease in muscle mass is linear after age 50
1. lower physical abilities (e.g., IADLs, balance, falls)
2. physical disabilities
3. mean longevity/mortality risk
4. quality of life
5. muscle mass VS. muscle strength
6. muscle mass VS. speed, control, endurance, task-specific performance
7. average rates of decline
a. 15% per decade at ages 50-60
b. 30% per decade after age 60.
1. no standard definition for sarcopenia
1. > 20% for elderly men
2. > 30% for elderly women
1. reduced exercise
2. malnutrition
3. oxidative stress (free radicals and other ROS)
4. muscle mitochondrial mutations (i.e., mtDNA deletions)
5. changes in specific types of muscle fibers
a. selective atrophy of Type II fibers (perhaps the major factor)
b. selective loss of Types II fibers
c. conversion of Type II fibers to Type I fibers
6. decline in muscle protein
a. decline in muscle protein synthesis
b. decline in certain proteins (e.g., MHC, SR, mitochondria).
c. dysregulation of hormones
7. diseases
a. hyperinsulinemia
1. exercise
2. dietary modification
3. hormone supplementation (e.g., testosterone, GH, IGF-I, DHEA)
1. age-related increases in -
a. membrane lipid peroxides
b. oxidized muscle proteins
c. sarcoplasmic reticulum
d. mitochondria
2. sources of FR damage to mtDNA
3. mtDNA sensitivity to FR damage
4. age-related increase in muscle mtDNA deletions
5. mtDNA heteroplasmy
a. clonal distribution (perhaps clonal replication)
b. not a vicious cycle of FR damage to mtDNA
1. less energy output
2. more FR production
3. damage to cells throughout body (e.g., atherosclerosis).
4. may affect Type I or Type II preferentially
5. atrophy (may be regional from heteroplasmy)
1. decline in ATP production
2. mitochondrial signaling proteins (e.g., apoptosis-inhibiting factor)
3. calcium ion regulation
4. sarcopenia (preferential for Type II fibers)
5. "reductive hotspot" hypothesis
1. exercise
2. antioxidant supplements ??
3. caloric restriction (CR)
1. little research
1. promoting FR damage to proteins
a. increasing H2O2
b. increasing NO
c. increasing NO-caused mitochondrial damage
d. lipid peroxidation (e.g., mitochondrial membranes)
2. decreasing removal of damaged proteins
a. decreased proteosome activity
3. exercise and GLUT-4 transporters
4. caloric restriction
1. types or myosin heavy chains (MHCs)
a. MHCI in Type I fibers
b. MHCIIA and MHCIIb in Type II fibers.
2. age-related declines in MHC synthesis
3. FR damage and proteosomes
4. effects from androgens
1. steadiness
2. strategies
3. throat muscles
a. thyroarytenoid muscle
b. laryngotracheal muscle
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