New discovery could help preserve muscle strength and slow age-related decline

Researchers in Japan have found that an antioxidant molecule may help maintain the muscle tissue’s ability to regenerate by protecting a key protein involved in activating the repair process. The findings could contribute to the development of new approaches to preventing or slowing muscle atrophy.

The study was led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyushu University and its findings were published in Scientific Reports.

Skeletal muscle is among the tissues most significantly affected by aging. As its regenerative capacity declines, muscle weakness, fat accumulation within muscle tissue and the loss of fibers responsible for rapid and powerful movements can occur.

The researchers focused on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a protein that plays a central role in activating muscle stem cells responsible for repairing damaged tissue. However, as people age, HGF undergoes a chemical modification known as nitration, which weakens its function and reduces the efficiency of muscle regeneration.

To identify a way to protect the protein, the team tested two antioxidant compounds, GSSSG and LASSS. The results showed that LASSS was more effective. In addition to reducing nitration, the compound enhanced the protein’s ability to bind to the receptor responsible for activating muscle repair, an effect not observed with the other compound.

Tatsumi said the findings exceeded the researchers’ expectations, noting that LASSS may not only protect HGF from damage but also enhance its function. As a result, the team described the modified form as “Super HGF.”

To further validate the findings, the researchers tested the compound in mice with muscle atrophy. The animals treated with LASSS showed a marked reduction in harmful chemical changes in muscle tissue, suggesting that the compound’s effects may extend to living tissues.

The researchers emphasized that the findings are still preliminary and require further study before any potential application in humans.

However, the results could open new avenues for developing strategies to preserve muscle health in older adults and in people who lose muscle mass due to physical inactivity or prolonged periods of bed rest.