New research shows that antioxidants may play an important role in removing old, less functioning muscle cells. These cells are called senescent and lose their normal functions, which can contribute to age-related problems such as muscle loss. Scientists discovered that antioxidants influence the signal of a cellular programme, called mTOR, which is overactive in these old cells.
Senescent muscle cells respond differently to their environment than healthy cells. They have a disruption in how they sense and utilise nutrients, partly due to increased mTOR activity. This ensures that they are less able to recover and even secrete harmful substances that can affect surrounding tissues. Antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine can inhibit this overactivity, especially when the cells receive little nourishment.
A striking finding is that under such conditions, antioxidants can even cause senescent cells to die off. This effect is specific to these old cells and potentially helps in clearing them out, while healthy muscle cells are actually strengthened by it. As a result, the balance in muscle tissue could improve and the capacity for recovery increase.
These discoveries are important because the removal of senescent cells with antioxidant substances can contribute to slowing down muscle ageing. The research is still at an early stage and has been carried out primarily on cells in the laboratory, without trials on animals or humans. Nevertheless, this new knowledge paves the way for potential new interventions that can support muscle health at an older age.
Healthy muscle tissue is of great importance for vitality and independence during the ageing process, making these studies interesting for anyone who pays attention to healthy ageing.
Source: Josh Conway
