Risk factors and molecular mechanisms of sarcopenia

Prof Yang will explain the main causes of sarcopnenia and she use the chart to explain the protein synthesis pathway and degradation in muscle. Next, she will introduce the classification of sarcopenia.

A sedentary lifestyle and bed rest in older adults are the major causes of inactivity, which leads to muscle mass loss and atrophy.

Inadequate dietary intake and malnutrition also result in impaired muscle function. Furthermore, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance are regarded as common linking factors associated with sarcopenia.

In addition, low level of anabolic hormones inhibits muscle protein synthesis and promotes muscle protein degradation which is the most important risk factor resulting in sarcopenia in older adults.