Sarcopenic Muscle Degradation is the progressive, pathological, and age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, dynamic strength, and functional quality that significantly contributes to frailty, metabolic dysfunction, and physical disability in older adults. This syndrome is characterized by a decrease in the number and size of muscle fibers, along with the pathological infiltration of non-contractile fat and fibrous tissue within the muscle belly. It is a critical clinical indicator of accelerated biological aging and a major, highly prioritized target for longevity and hormonal interventions.
Origin
The term “sarcopenia” was scientifically coined in 1989, combining the Greek words sarx (flesh) and penia (loss or deficiency), to specifically describe the decline in muscle mass that occurs with advancing age. The subsequent addition of “degradation” highlights the pathological process of structural and functional decline that goes beyond simple muscle atrophy. It is now understood as a complex syndrome rooted in intertwined hormonal, neurological, and chronic inflammatory dysregulation.
Mechanism
The degradation process is driven by multiple, synergistic factors, including chronic anabolic resistance to key growth signals like insulin and amino acids, a decline in the bioavailability of anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone, and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. This leads to a fundamental imbalance where the rate of muscle protein breakdown consistently exceeds the rate of muscle protein synthesis. Ultimately, this catabolic state results in the measurable loss of contractile tissue, impaired mitochondrial function, and compromised neuro-motor function.
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