Tweaking a gene 'could strengthen muscles'
Monday 21st November 2011
Slightly tweaking a gene could strengthen muscles - suggesting treatments for age-related or genetics-related muscle degenerative conditions.
An international team of scientists were able to create super-strong, high-endurance mice and worms by suppressing a natural muscle-growth inhibitor - a treatment that could in future be used by those with a physiotherapy job.
A tiny inhibitor could be responsible for determining muscle strength, according to researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and the University of Lausanne.
Researchers say that the results are a milestone in understanding certain fundamental mechanisms of living organisms, and could potentially pave the way for long-term therapeutic applications.
"This could be used to combat muscle weakness in the elderly, which leads to falls and contributes to hospitalisations," said lead author Johan Auwerx.
"In addition, we think that this could be used as a basis for developing a treatment for genetic muscular dystrophy."
Meanwhile, research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology revealed that men with higher levels of testosterone lose less muscle as they age.
Written by James Puckle
Related articles
Life expectancy can be boosted by jogging
Many people like to go out jogging as a way of keeping fit and enjoying the great outdoors on their runs, however this leisurely...
Thursday 3rd May 2012
Physiotherapy services on display in Wales
Physiotherapists in Wales are showcasing the benefits of the treatment this week as part of a new initiative. With the Olympic...
Tuesday 1st May 2012
Physiotherapists gearing up for London 2012
The London 2012 Olympic Games is set to be one of the biggest spectacles the country has ever seen and as the best athletes from...
Thursday 19th April 2012
Related Audiology Jobs
We have an exclusive locum job opportunity for an experienced Audiologist with good paediatric experience available, within...
Full infoInterested in Audiology jobs across the East of England; Peterborough, Cambridge, Bedford, Hertfordshire, Essex, Chelmsford,...
Full infoExperienced Band 5 Audiologist required for a locum/perm job in the North East of England. We are looking for a locum Audiologist...
Full info