Abstract
The term "sarcopenia" describes the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. It represents a major risk factor for functional loss and disability in older persons. Multiple underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been posed at the basis of the sarcopenia phenomenon, including intrinsic (e.g., age-related modifications of the skeletal muscle, the central nervous system, and hormones) and extrinsic (e.g., sedentariness, poor protein dietary intake) factors.
Several interventions have been explored in the last years to counteract the age-related muscle decline. These include protein supplementations, physical exercise, testosterone replacement (as well as other anabolic androgens) in men, estrogen replacement in women, growth hormone replacement, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. To date, adequate protein intake and resistance training are the most promising interventions able to prevent and/or delay the decline of muscle mass and function.
An intense debate is currently ongoing about the best operational definition able to capture the complexity of this aging condition. In the context of identifying the optimal treatment for a specific condition, this is not a trivial issue because it sets the target of the intervention as well as the population at risk. Nevertheless, despite the current methodological issues, it is important to preliminarily test the possible strategies that might be implemented in the future, when the sarcopenia condition will finally be more univocally defined and its clinical relevance recognized.
Aim of the present review is to describe and discuss available evidence about the possible interventions potentially serving at acting against sarcopenia. Pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological interventions are presented.
Keywords: Elderly, disability, physical function, prevention, sarcopenia, skeletal muscle, treatment.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Interventions Against Sarcopenia in Older Persons
Volume: 20 Issue: 38
Author(s): Zanandrea Valeria, Giua Renato, Costanzo Luisa, Vellas Bruno, Zamboni Mauro and Cesari Matteo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Elderly, disability, physical function, prevention, sarcopenia, skeletal muscle, treatment.
Abstract: The term "sarcopenia" describes the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. It represents a major risk factor for functional loss and disability in older persons. Multiple underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been posed at the basis of the sarcopenia phenomenon, including intrinsic (e.g., age-related modifications of the skeletal muscle, the central nervous system, and hormones) and extrinsic (e.g., sedentariness, poor protein dietary intake) factors.
Several interventions have been explored in the last years to counteract the age-related muscle decline. These include protein supplementations, physical exercise, testosterone replacement (as well as other anabolic androgens) in men, estrogen replacement in women, growth hormone replacement, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. To date, adequate protein intake and resistance training are the most promising interventions able to prevent and/or delay the decline of muscle mass and function.
An intense debate is currently ongoing about the best operational definition able to capture the complexity of this aging condition. In the context of identifying the optimal treatment for a specific condition, this is not a trivial issue because it sets the target of the intervention as well as the population at risk. Nevertheless, despite the current methodological issues, it is important to preliminarily test the possible strategies that might be implemented in the future, when the sarcopenia condition will finally be more univocally defined and its clinical relevance recognized.
Aim of the present review is to describe and discuss available evidence about the possible interventions potentially serving at acting against sarcopenia. Pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological interventions are presented.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Valeria Zanandrea, Renato Giua, Luisa Costanzo, Bruno Vellas, Mauro Zamboni and Matteo Cesari, Interventions Against Sarcopenia in Older Persons, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (38) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140316132246
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140316132246 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Relevance of the Neuropeptide Y System in the Biology of Cancer Progression
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Colorectal Cancer: what is new?
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Dopaminergic Enhancement of Cognitive Function
Current Pharmaceutical Design Epigenetics, Depression and Antidepressant Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design C-Type Lectins on Dendritic Cells and Their Interaction with Pathogen-Derived and Endogenous Glycoconjugates
Current Protein & Peptide Science Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Glucokinase Activation to Treat Type 2 Diabetes
Current Medicinal Chemistry Intestinal Absorption Enhancement Via the Paracellular Route by Fatty Acids, Chitosans and Others: A Target for Drug Delivery
Current Drug Delivery Immune and Metabolic Interactions of Human Erythrocytes: A Molecular Perspective
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The CRF1 Receptor, a Novel Target for the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-Related Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Exploring Genetic Diversity in Plants Using High-Throughput Sequencing Techniques
Current Genomics Pericyte: Potential Target for Hemorrhagic Stroke Prevention and Treatment
Current Drug Delivery The Role of T and B Cells in Atherosclerosis: Potential Clinical Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Oxidative Stress in Schizophrenia
Current Neuropharmacology Current and Future Applications for Stem Cell Therapies in Spine Surgery
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Optimising the Use of Non-Invasive Ventilation in the Intensive Care Setting
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Viral Anti-Inflammatory Reagents: The Potential for Treatment of Arthritic and Vasculitic Disorders
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Role for Oxidative Stress in Aberrant DNA Methylation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Nutrigenomics and its Impact on Life Style Associated Metabolic Diseases
Current Genomics IAPs as a Target for Anticancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Using Metformin in Pregnancy for Different Indications: Are We Any Wiser now?
Applied Clinical Research, Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs