As people grow older, they tend to lose muscle, which can lead to a decreased life span and quality of life, as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis and falls.
Scientists recently discovered that Alzheimer's-like protein aggregates underly the muscle deterioration commonly seen in aging. Their study showed that the protein aggregates could be blocked by boosting the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a biomolecule that is essential for maintaining mitochondrial function. Higher levels of NAD+ worked to turn on the defense systems of the mitochondria and restore muscle function.
Aggregated proteins have long been thought to be a contributor to brain aging, and this study proves aggregated proteins also contribute to muscle aging.
"The most prominent component of these protein aggregates is beta-amyloid, just like in the amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease," said Johan Auwerx at EPFL's School of Life Sciences. "These abnormal proteotoxic aggregates could serve as novel biomarkers for the aging process, beyond the brain and muscle."
SOURCE: Science Daily January 20, 2021