Exposome on skeletal muscle system: a mini-review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Skeletal Muscle Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Exposomics studies cumulative environmental exposures and their biological effects.
• Skeletal muscle, a large secretory organ, exhibits significant plasticity.
• Understanding the exposome's impact on skeletal muscle is vital for lifelong health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the exposome and skeletal muscle.
• To explore future perspectives in this interdisciplinary field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of exposomics and skeletal muscle research.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking exposures to muscle responses.

Main Results:

• Muscle stem cells respond to stressors via specific signaling pathways (eIF2α, TSC1, SIRT1).
• Microplastics, acrolein, and heavy metals negatively affect muscle regeneration, differentiation, and strength.
• Pollutants disrupt redox balance and neuromuscular function.

Conclusions:

• Investigating pollutants and biological features offers insights into neuromuscular pathophysiology.
• Dynamic exposome risk scores and microbiota modulation are promising research avenues.
• Comprehensive exposure assessment is key for muscle health across the lifespan.