Revisiting barium chloride-induced injury as a preclinical model for skeletal muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle repair and regeneration are dynamic processes that involve intricate interactions between distinct cell types, cellular mediators, and signaling networks. Although skeletal muscle has an inherent property of regeneration, it is compromised due to aging and certain disease conditions. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes that govern the restoration of muscle function is crucial in designing effective therapeutic strategies. Various in vivo models of muscle injury and regeneration have been established, differing primarily in terms of regeneration kinetics and their impact on muscle stem cells and vascular networks. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of the barium chloride (BaCl₂)-induced muscle injury model. BaCl₂ induces muscle damage via calcium-induced proteolysis and has gained widespread attention due to its ease of procurement and reproducibility in altering the muscle phenotype. The review also compiles studies utilizing the BaCl₂-induced muscle injury model for therapeutic screening and exploration into fundamental aspects of muscle biology, highlighting its use for a mechanistic understanding of skeletal muscle regeneration and the development of regenerative therapies.