Inside Exercise
#60 - Skeletal muscle aging and mitochondria: thinking beyond the powerhouse with Dr Russell Hepple
Episode guests
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Quick takeaways
- Permeability transition in skeletal muscle mitochondria, triggered by altered calcium levels and reactive oxygen species, can lead to muscle damage and is implicated in conditions like ischemia-reperfusion injury and cancer cachexia.
- The mitochondria in skeletal muscle have various functions beyond energy production, including calcium regulation, reactive oxygen species production, and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction, which require further exploration in muscle physiology research.
Deep dives
Permeability transition in skeletal muscle mitochondria
Permeability transition in skeletal muscle mitochondria refers to the process in which the mitochondria become less efficient and may disintegrate due to alterations in calcium levels and reactive oxygen species. This can occur in response to conditions like ischemia-reperfusion injury, such as during a heart attack. Mitochondrial permeability transition plays a role in reducing energy production and can lead to muscle damage. Researchers have found that the amount of calcium required to trigger permeability transition is reduced with aging, making the mitochondria more susceptible. Permeability transition has been studied in the context of neuromuscular junction morphology, cancer cachexia, and chemotherapy-induced muscle alterations. Inhibition of permeability transition shows promise in preventing muscle atrophy and reducing tissue damage. Additional research is needed to fully understand the implications of permeability transition in skeletal muscle and its potential therapeutic applications.
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