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Bone and skeletal muscle: neighbors with close ties
Douglas J DiGirolamo1, Douglas P Kiel, Karyn A Esser
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287‐0882, USA. ddigiro2@jhmi.edu
Aging causes parallel bone loss (osteopenia) and muscle loss (sarcopenia), increasing fall and fracture risks. Understanding these linked aging processes is crucial for developing effective osteoporosis and sarcopenia treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Musculoskeletal Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The musculoskeletal system, comprising bone and skeletal muscle, is vital for mammalian function, including locomotion and organ protection.
- Bone and skeletal muscle develop synchronously from somitic mesoderm, influenced by genetics and environment.
- Aging leads to parallel declines in bone mass (osteopenia) and skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms that couple bone and skeletal muscle mass.
- To identify critical research areas for combating age-related bone and muscle loss.
- To provide insights for developing interventions against osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
Main Methods:
- This perspective reviews recent scientific literature and advances.
- It synthesizes current understanding of the parallel development and involution of bone and muscle.
- It identifies knowledge gaps in the coupling mechanisms between bone and skeletal muscle.
Main Results:
- Aging is characterized by simultaneous bone and muscle mass reduction.
- Sarcopenia and osteopenia significantly impair mobility and increase fall/fracture risks in the elderly.
- The interconnectedness of bone and muscle aging presents a critical challenge for public health.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of the mechanisms linking bone and skeletal muscle mass is essential.
- Targeting these coupled mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for age-related musculoskeletal decline.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions and develop effective interventions.
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