Skeletal Muscle-Cardiac Muscle Aging: Shared Mechanisms and Multimodal Interventions

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Muscle Physiology
• Investigates the molecular basis of age-related muscle decline and its impact on overall health.

Background:

• Age-related muscle deterioration is a key factor in morbidity and mortality among older adults.
• Shared molecular pathways like mitochondrial dysfunction, immunosenescence, oxidative stress, hormonal changes, and anabolic resistance contribute to sarcopenia and cardiac remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interconnected molecular mechanisms of muscle aging.
• To explore the relationship between skeletal and cardiac muscle aging.
• To discuss interventions and future directions for preserving muscle mass and function.

Main Methods:

• State-of-the-art literature review.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms of muscle aging.
• Examination of the impact of chronic diseases on muscle degeneration.
• Evaluation of evidence-based interventions.

Main Results:

• Muscle aging involves interconnected pathways affecting both skeletal (sarcopenia) and cardiac muscle.
• Chronic diseases exacerbate muscle aging through inflammation and metabolic dysregulation.
• Multicomponent exercise, adequate protein intake, and pharmacological agents show efficacy in preserving muscle.

Conclusions:

• Understanding muscle-heart crosstalk is crucial for addressing age-related physical decline.
• Integrated care models and predictive biomarkers are needed.
• Digital health technologies can support monitoring and intervention delivery.