New insulin study may open doors for better treatment of sarcopenia
Scienceline, Nov. 5, 2009
A study in the journal Diabetologia by UTMB researchers found that insulin might play an important role in sarcopenia, age-related muscled loss. Sarcopenia occurs in part because muscle tissue doesn’t respond properly to insulin. Although researchers found that increased dosage of insulin restored muscle-building processes, it cannot be used in treatment because of its toxicity in high concentrations. “The new finding serves as a proof of concept,” said UTMB Dr. Elena Volpi. “It confirms our belief that the age-related decline in muscle growth is a true case of insulin resistance, which is an important piece to the larger puzzle of treating sarcopenia.”