Age-Related Muscle Loss Could Be Slowed By New Compound Discovered by Researchers in Japan

Researchers at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, have made a significant discovery that may pave the way for novel strategies to combat muscle loss and maintain strength in the elderly. Led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi from the Faculty of Agriculture, the research team announced their findings, which involve a newly identified compound, during a presentation on 24 July. This compound, referred to as “Super HGF,” is believed to enhance the body’s intrinsic muscle repair mechanisms as we age.

The term “HGF” stands for hepatocyte growth factor, a protein crucial for initiating muscle repair and assisting skeletal muscle regeneration. The researchers suggest that Super HGF creates a more robust version of this key protein, which could ultimately translate into practical solutions for muscle preservation in both humans and animals. Professor Tatsumi expressed optimism about the compound’s potential impact, stating, “The discovery could eventually lead to new ways to slow muscle loss and preserve strength as people age.”

In conducting their research, the team examined two powerful antioxidant compounds: glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) and lipoic acid trisulfide (LASSS). These compounds belong to a class known as trisulfides, which contain three linked sulfur atoms. The researchers focused on their ability to protect and enhance the action of HGF, which can become chemically altered as individuals grow older. This alteration often impedes the muscle repair process.

Professor Tatsumi clarified the issue, explaining, “HGF is not necessarily missing as we age. Rather, it can be chemically altered after it is made.” This led the researchers to hypothesise that a compound with strong antioxidant effects may help to protect HGF by either preventing its nitration or by offsetting the functional decline that occurs with age.

The preliminary results of the study were promising. The research indicated that both GSSSG and LASSS successfully suppressed the nitration of HGF, enabling the untreated protein to become more resilient against dysfunction caused by nitration. Tatsumi was surprised by how effective the combination of HGF and LASSS was, remarking, “We knew trisulfides had diverse biological functions, but we never expected that simply mixing HGF with LASSS would produce such a striking effect.”

Further analysis revealed that LASSS not only neutralises reactive molecules but may also interact directly with HGF, inducing a subtle structural alteration that results in an enhanced form of the protein, termed Super HGF. This variant appears to bind more effectively to its receptor, c-met, which is thought to increase its overall muscle-repair capacity.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond age-related muscle degradation. The research findings could also assist individuals who experience muscle wasting due to factors unrelated to aging, such as prolonged bed rest or inactivity. The researchers envision that continued investigations into HGF and its enhanced form may offer supportive therapies for various populations.

Looking to the future, Professor Tatsumi anticipates that these developments could extend to the domains of veterinary medicine, potentially benefitting pets such as cats and dogs. Preserving the quality of life and independence for these animals during their later years is a priority, and enhanced muscle repair mechanisms could help achieve that aim.

As the scientific community assesses the full impact of this groundbreaking research, there is a growing sense that innovations like Super HGF could reshape our understanding of muscle health across all stages of life. The potential benefits for both humans and animals alike underscore the import of this work, which seeks to improve not just longevity but the quality of life and mobility for individuals in their later years.