Scientists in the UK and Denmark have shown that if elderly men were given growth hormone and exercised their legs showed an appreciable muscle mass increase.
Scientists in the UK and Denmark have shown that if elderly men were given growth hormone and exercised their legs showed an appreciable muscle mass increase. Dr. Geoff Goldspink (Royal Free and University College Medical School, UK) says: "This raises the question: Can age-related loss of muscle strength and increased fragility be ameliorated by the therapeutic application of mechano growth factor (MGF)?".
There is hope that MGF can also help sufferers of diseases such as muscular dystrophy, ALS, renal disease or cancer, for whom intensive exercise is not an option. It may even prove useful to ameliorate muscle loss resulting from long periods in zero-gravity conditions during space travel. Dr. Mark Lewis (University College London, UK) will present their latest results on how MGF exerts its effects during his talk at the Society of Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in Glasgow on Wednesday 1st July 2009.
Muscular Dystrophy / Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - Overview
Overview about muscular dystrophy, a muscle disease characterized by muscle weakness and muscle wasting.
Overview about muscular dystrophy, a muscle disease characterized by muscle weakness and muscle wasting.
In addition to intensive exercise, muscles need to be stimulated by growth hormone (GH) in order to release MGF. Since there is a natural decrease in the levels of this hormone as we age, this may combine with the lack of intensive physical activity to cause muscle wasting in elderly people.
"The downside", warns Dr. Goldspink, "is that MGF has great potential for doping in sports. A synthetic version is already available over the internet, and although it is still very expensive, it is expected that new technologies will bring down the price to make it comparable to that of human insulin".
About Myotonic Dystrophy
Detailed information on myotonic muscular dystrophy, a common form of muscular disease that affects adults and children.
Detailed information on myotonic muscular dystrophy, a common form of muscular disease that affects adults and children.
Source-Eurekalert
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Genes Not Needed In Adult Muscle Stem Cells To Regenerate Muscles After Injury, Says Study
Scientists have found that genes important for forming muscle cells in embryos and newborns are not needed in adult muscle stem cells to regenerate muscles after injury.
Scientists have found that genes important for forming muscle cells in embryos and newborns are not needed in adult muscle stem cells to regenerate muscles after injury.
Heart Protein Helps Save Skeletal Muscles
A new study has shown that a heart muscle protein can compensate for its missing skeletal muscle counterpart to give mice suffering from muscular disease an active life.
A new study has shown that a heart muscle protein can compensate for its missing skeletal muscle counterpart to give mice suffering from muscular disease an active life.
