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Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia in aging mice
Sarah M Greising1, Carlos B Mantilla, Britney A Gorman
1Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Experimental Gerontology
|June 25, 2013
Summary
Aging causes diaphragm sarcopenia, leading to reduced muscle force and fiber size, particularly in fast-twitch fibers. This age-related muscle loss impacts respiratory function and airway clearance.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Muscle Biology
Background:
- Diaphragm sarcopenia, characterized by muscle weakness and fiber atrophy, is not well understood.
- The diaphragm is the primary inspiratory muscle, making its age-related changes crucial for respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging on diaphragm muscle force and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA).
- To determine if aging-induced changes in the diaphragm vary across different fiber types.
- To assess diaphragm sarcopenia in a mouse model of accelerated aging.
Main Methods:
- Compared diaphragm muscle force and fiber CSA in young (5-month) and old (23-month) wild-type mice.
- Evaluated diaphragm sarcopenia in BubR1(H/H) mice with accelerated aging.
- Assessed maximum specific force and mean fiber CSA across different fiber types.
Main Results:
- Old mice showed a 34% reduction in diaphragm maximum specific force compared to young mice.
- BubR1(H/H) mice exhibited a 57% decrease in diaphragm maximum specific force.
- Fast-twitch fibers (Type IIx/IIb) showed significant CSA reduction in old and BubR1(H/H) mice.
- No significant difference in Type I or IIa fiber CSA was observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Aging leads to diaphragm sarcopenia, evidenced by decreased force and atrophy of fast-twitch fibers.
- Accelerated aging in BubR1(H/H) mice exacerbates diaphragm sarcopenia.
- Diaphragm sarcopenia may impair airway clearance and contribute to respiratory issues in aging individuals.
