Inhibition of 15-PGDH protein can make mice muscle young
In a new study, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine found that blocking the activity of a protein in old mice for one month can restore the mass and strength of their atrophic muscles and help them in Run longer on the treadmill. Conversely, increasing the expression of this protein in young mice will cause their muscles to atrophy and weaken.
Corresponding author of the paper, Dr. Helen Blau, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine, said, “This improvement is very significant. After one month of treatment, old mice were about 15 to 20 percent stronger, . Their muscle fibers looked like muscles in young mice. Considering that humans lose about 10% of their muscle strength every 10 years after they are around 50 years old, this is remarkable."
The researchers injected mice daily for a month with a small molecule that blocks the activity of 15-PGDH, and evaluated the effect of the treatment on both old and young mice. "We found that even partial inhibition of 15-PGDH in older mice restored PGE2 to physiological levels in younger mice," Blau said. The muscle fibers in these mice became larger and stronger than before treatment. The mitochondria are more numerous and look and function like those found in the muscles of young mice." In addition, the treated older mice were able to run longer on the treadmill than their untreated counterparts.
When Palla and her colleagues performed a reverse experiment - when 15-PGDH was expressed in young mice, the situation was the opposite. These mice lost muscle tone and muscle strength, and their muscle fibers atrophied and became weaker, just like those old mice.
Finally, these researchers observed the effect of PGE2 on the growth of human myotubes -immature muscle fibers-in laboratory dishes. They found that after treating the myotube with PGE2, the diameter of the myotube increased, and the protein synthesis in the myotube increased---this proves that PGE2 directly acts on muscle cells, rather than other cells in this tissue microenvironment. It's clear that the 15-PGDH regulator has a profound effect on muscle function," Blau said. We hope that these findings may lead to new ways to improve human health and affect the quality of life of many people. That's one of my main goals." Blau and Palla are studying more about what controls the level and activity of 15-PGDH during normal aging, and how it affects the function of other tissues in the body.
Corresponding author of the paper, Dr. Helen Blau, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine, said, “This improvement is very significant. After one month of treatment, old mice were about 15 to 20 percent stronger, . Their muscle fibers looked like muscles in young mice. Considering that humans lose about 10% of their muscle strength every 10 years after they are around 50 years old, this is remarkable."
The researchers injected mice daily for a month with a small molecule that blocks the activity of 15-PGDH, and evaluated the effect of the treatment on both old and young mice. "We found that even partial inhibition of 15-PGDH in older mice restored PGE2 to physiological levels in younger mice," Blau said. The muscle fibers in these mice became larger and stronger than before treatment. The mitochondria are more numerous and look and function like those found in the muscles of young mice." In addition, the treated older mice were able to run longer on the treadmill than their untreated counterparts.
When Palla and her colleagues performed a reverse experiment - when 15-PGDH was expressed in young mice, the situation was the opposite. These mice lost muscle tone and muscle strength, and their muscle fibers atrophied and became weaker, just like those old mice.
Finally, these researchers observed the effect of PGE2 on the growth of human myotubes -immature muscle fibers-in laboratory dishes. They found that after treating the myotube with PGE2, the diameter of the myotube increased, and the protein synthesis in the myotube increased---this proves that PGE2 directly acts on muscle cells, rather than other cells in this tissue microenvironment. It's clear that the 15-PGDH regulator has a profound effect on muscle function," Blau said. We hope that these findings may lead to new ways to improve human health and affect the quality of life of many people. That's one of my main goals." Blau and Palla are studying more about what controls the level and activity of 15-PGDH during normal aging, and how it affects the function of other tissues in the body.
