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Pathological changes and therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia
EFORT Open Reviews
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Sarcopenia, a major health concern in older adults, involves muscle atrophy due to factors like oxidative stress and inflammation. Interventions like exercise and mitochondrial therapies show promise for prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Sarcopenia affects 30-50% of individuals over 70, leading to mobility issues, falls, and severe health complications.
- Muscle atrophy in sarcopenia is driven by synergistic pathological changes including oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, hypoxia, and gut dysbiosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological mechanisms of muscle contraction and pathological changes in sarcopenia.
- To discuss non-pharmacological interventions and novel therapeutic targets for sarcopenia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of sarcopenia pathogenesis and physiological mechanisms.
- Analysis of common pathological changes and current therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Identified key pathological factors contributing to sarcopenia: oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, hypoxia, and gut microbiota disturbance.
- Highlighted non-pharmacological treatments like nutrient supplementation and resistance exercise.
- Proposed mitochondria as therapeutic targets for improving muscle function and remodeling.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in sarcopenia, suggesting targeted mitochondrial therapies as a promising intervention.
- Stem cell transplantation with growth factors presents another potential avenue for sarcopenia treatment.
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