Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan are exploring ways to help us stay healthier as we age. One key focus is on a protein called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which helps repair muscles. As people get older, a harmful change called nitration affects HGF, hindering its role in muscle repair.
In their study, the team investigated two compounds known for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are molecules that protect other molecules from chemical damage. These compounds, glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) and lipoic acid trisulfide (LASSS), are trisulfides, meaning they have three linked sulfur atoms. This structure makes them highly reactive.
The researchers discovered that while both compounds effectively reduced nitration in HGF, only LASSS improved the protein’s ability to connect with cells needed for muscle repair. Increasing the amount of LASSS not only blocked nitration but also doubled HGF’s effectiveness in binding with the c-met receptor, essential for muscle repair.
The team then tested LASSS using mouse models with muscle loss. Results showed that LASSS reduced nitration from muscle disuse. Although human tests are still needed, this approach shows promise in enhancing muscle repair as we age.
Future studies will investigate the impact of LASSS over longer periods and include older mice to better understand how it might combat age-related muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia.
