The Extract of Gloiopeltis tenax Enhances Myogenesis and Alleviates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy.

The decline in the function and mass of skeletal muscle during aging or other pathological conditions increases the incidence of aging-related secondary diseases, ultimately contributing to a decreased lifespan and quality of life. Much effort has been made to surmise the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle atrophy and develop tools for improving muscle function. Enhancing mitochondrial function is considered critical for increasing muscle function and health. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of an aqueous extract of Gloiopeltis tenax (GTAE) on myogenesis and muscle atrophy caused by dexamethasone (DEX). The GTAE promoted myogenic differentiation, accompanied by an increase in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator α (PGC-1α) expression and mitochondrial content in myoblast cell culture. In addition, the GTAE alleviated the DEX-mediated myotube atrophy that is attributable to the Akt-mediated inhibition of the Atrogin/MuRF1 pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study using a DEX-induced muscle atrophy mouse model demonstrated the efficacy of GTAE in protecting muscles from atrophy and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and function, even under conditions of atrophy. Taken together, this study suggests that the GTAE shows propitious potential as a nutraceutical for enhancing muscle function and preventing muscle wasting.

Induction of cellular senescence by secretory phospholipase A2 in human dermal fibroblasts through an ROS-mediated p53 pathway.

Secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) is involved in various cellular physiological and pathological responses, especially in inflammatory responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation is an underlying basis for the molecular alterations that link aging and age-related pathological processes. However, the involvement of sPLA(2) in cellular senescence is not clear. In this study, we found that sPLA(2) treatment induces cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), as confirmed by increases in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, changes in cell morphology, and upregulation of p53/p21 protein levels. sPLA(2)-induced senescence was observed in p16-knockdown HDFs and p16-null mouse fibroblasts, but not in p53-knockdown HDFs and p53-null mouse fibroblasts. Treatment with sPLA(2) increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, inhibits sPLA(2)-induced cellular senescence. These results suggest that sPLA(2) has a role in cellular senescence in HDFs during inflammatory response by promoting ROS-dependent p53 activation and might therefore contribute to inflammatory disorders associated with aging.