Scientists Find a New Way to Fix Aging Muscles

Topic: Biology

Researchers from Kyushu University discovered a compound that can help repair aging muscles. They found that mixing this compound with a protein called HGF makes it work better and resist damage.

Skeletal muscle starts to deteriorate early in the aging process. This can cause loss of strength, scarring, and fat buildup in muscle tissue. Researchers led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi wanted to find a way to protect and enhance an important signal involved in muscle repair.

The team focused on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a protein that helps initiate the repair of skeletal muscle. HGF remains inactive until it's released when muscle tissue is injured or stimulated. It then attaches to c met receptors on satellite cells, which multiply, mature, and rebuild damaged muscle fibers.

However, aging can disrupt this repair system. Previous research found that HGF undergoes a chemical modification called nitration, which makes it unable to attach effectively to the receptor. The researchers compared this to a rusted key that no longer fits its lock.

The team tested two compounds with strong antioxidant properties: glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) and lipoic acid trisulfide (LASSS). They found that LASSS increased the ability of HGF to bind to c met receptors by more than twice, making it more resistant to damage. This was an unexpected result, as they thought the compound would only neutralize reactive molecules.

The findings suggest that LASSS may directly alter the structure of HGF in a beneficial way, creating a more active form of the protein.

Why It Matters

This discovery could lead to new treatments for muscle wasting and weakness in older adults. It also highlights the importance of antioxidants in protecting proteins from damage.

Key Facts

• Researchers from Kyushu University discovered a compound that can help repair aging muscles.
• The compound, LASSS, increases the ability of HGF to bind to c met receptors by more than twice.
• LASSS may directly alter the structure of HGF in a beneficial way, creating a more active form of the protein.
• Aging can disrupt the muscle repair system by causing HGF to undergo nitration.
• The study was published on July 24, 2026, in Scientific Reports.

Key Terms

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)

A protein that helps initiate the repair of skeletal muscle

Nitration

A chemical modification that makes HGF unable to attach effectively to its receptor

Implications

This discovery could lead to new treatments for muscle wasting and weakness in older adults. It also highlights the importance of antioxidants in protecting proteins from damage.