Trends and frontiers in disuse muscle atrophy research

To investigate the progress and status of the disuse muscle atrophy (DMA) and to highlight the current hot research areas.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed database, covering the period from 2010 to 2024. The R software (version 4.2.0) was used for the bibliometric analysis.

A total of 689 articles related to DMA have been published, demonstrating a consistent upward trend in research output. The University of Utah was identified as the most productive institution in this field, while the United States led in the number of publications. Notable authors, including Marlou L. Dirks and Benjamin T. Wall, were recognized as the most prolific contributors, significantly advancing the literature. Key journals such as the Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences were highlighted for their high citation metrics and considerable influence. Hot keywords, such as "oxidative stress," "aging," "exercise," "protein synthesis," "mitochondria," "inflammation," "Murf1," "soleus muscle," "Foxo3," "ROS," and "glucocorticoids," were the most frequently occurring terms. Additionally, most countries were actively engaged in extensive collaborative networks.

This study highlighted an increasing emphasis on molecular mechanisms of DMA, such as oxidative stress, aging, protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Murf1 and Foxo3 played crucial roles in the process of DMA. Both exercise and glucocorticoids were primary methods for enhancing muscle recovery. The soleus muscle was the primary focus in DMA studies. This study provided a valuable reference for guiding future research and optimizing potential intervention strategies for DMA.