Myostatin dysfunction does not protect from fasting-induced loss of muscle mass in mice

J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019 Sep 1;19(3):342-353.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate if myostatin dysfunction can ameliorate fasting-induced muscle wasting.

Methods: 18-week old males from Berlin high (BEH) strain with myostatin dysfunction and wild type myostatin (BEH+/+) strain were subjected to 48-h food deprivation (FD). Changes in body composition as well as contractile properties of soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were studied.

Results: BEH mice were heavier than BEH+/+ mice (56.0±2.5 vs. 49.9±2.8 g, P<0.001, respectively). FD induced similar loss of body mass in BEH and BEH+/+ mice (16.6±2.4 vs. 17.4±2.2%, P>0.05), but only BEH mice experienced wasting of the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior and plantaris muscles. FD induced a marked decrease in specific muscle force of SOL. EDL of BEH mice tended to be protected from this decline.

Conclusion: Myostatin dysfunction does not protect from loss of muscle mass during fasting.

Keywords: Caloric Restriction; Fasting; Muscle Atrophy; Muscle Specific Force; Myostatin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fasting / adverse effects
  • Fasting / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Muscular Atrophy / metabolism
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology
  • Myostatin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Mstn protein, mouse
  • Myostatin