Scientists find compound that boosts muscle repair protein in aging muscles

Scientists in Japan have discovered a compound that enhances a natural muscle-repair protein, creating a more powerful version called "Super HGF," according to ScienceDaily Health. This enhanced protein more than doubles its ability to bind to a key receptor and is protected from age-related chemical damage, potentially improving muscle repair.

The discovery was made by a team led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi at Kyushu University's Faculty of Agriculture and was published in Scientific Reports. Early experiments in mice support the compound's effectiveness in strengthening the biological signals involved in muscle regeneration.

Skeletal muscles, which enable voluntary movements like walking and lifting, lose strength and repair ability as people age due to factors like scar tissue and fat accumulation. This can reduce mobility and independence over time.

Muscle repair depends on satellite stem cells that activate upon injury to regenerate tissue. The protein hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a crucial role in activating these cells. The new compound improves HGF's function, suggesting a potential approach to counteract age-related muscle decline.