Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Ireland.
Genuity Science, Dublin, Ireland.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2021 Mar 31;76(4):576-585. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaa207.
Age-related skeletal muscle degradation known as "sarcopenia" exerts considerable strain on public health systems globally. While the pathogenesis of such atrophy is undoubtedly multifactorial, disruption at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has recently gained traction as a key explanatory factor. The NMJ, an essential communicatory link between nerve and muscle, undergoes profound changes with advancing age. Ascertaining whether such changes potentiate the onset of sarcopenia would be paramount in facilitating a timely implementation of targeted therapeutic strategies. Hence, there is a growing level of importance to further substantiate the effects of age on NMJs, in parallel with developing measures to attenuate such changes. As such, this review aimed to establish the current standpoint on age-related NMJ deterioration and consequences for skeletal muscle, while illuminating a role for biomarkers and exercise in ameliorating these alterations. Recent insights into the importance of key biomarkers for NMJ stability are provided, while the stimulative benefits of exercise in preserving NMJ function are demonstrated. Further elucidation of the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of biomarkers, coupled with the therapeutic benefits of regular exercise may be crucial in combating age-related NMJ and skeletal muscle degradation.
与年龄相关的骨骼肌退化，即“肌肉减少症”，给全球的公共卫生系统带来了巨大压力。尽管这种萎缩的发病机制无疑是多因素的，但神经肌肉接点（NMJ）的破坏最近已成为一个关键的解释因素。NMJ 是神经和肌肉之间至关重要的通讯连接点，随着年龄的增长，它会发生深刻的变化。确定这些变化是否会增加肌肉减少症的发病风险，对于及时实施有针对性的治疗策略至关重要。因此，越来越需要进一步证实年龄对 NMJ 的影响，并制定减轻这些变化的措施。因此，本综述旨在确定当前 NMJ 随年龄退化及其对骨骼肌的影响，同时阐明生物标志物和运动在改善这些变化中的作用。本文提供了 NMJ 稳定性关键生物标志物的重要性的最新见解，并展示了运动在维持 NMJ 功能方面的有益作用。进一步阐明生物标志物的诊断和预后相关性，以及定期运动的治疗益处，对于对抗与年龄相关的 NMJ 和骨骼肌退化可能至关重要。
