Intermittent Fasting to Attenuate Age-Related Muscle Atrophy In Aging C57BL/6 Mice:
Study of the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, contributes to frailty, impaired mobility, and metabolic dysfunction. Traditional interventions, such as resistance training and increased protein intake, are not always feasible, leading to investigation into alternative strategies. This study investigated whether intermittent fasting can attenuate age-related atrophy, with particular focus on the preservation of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) and its associated signaling hub involving plakoglobin and the insulin receptor. Young (3-6 months), middle-aged (12-15 and 15-18 months), and old (18-21 months) male C57BL/6 mice underwent 12-week regimens of either time-restricted feeding (TRF; 8-hour feeding/16-hour fasting), alternate-day fasting (ADF; fasting every other day), or ad libitum (AL) feeding. Outcomes measured included body composition, muscle mass and function, glucose metabolism, anabolic signaling, muscle histology, and fiber-type distribution.
