New drug to combat muscle wasting?

Older people using home care are likely to experience sarcopenia - the withering of the skeletal muscles.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have investigated the biological mechanism that causes this phenomenon and believe they may have identified a drug to help reverse the process.

A mechanism similar to that seen in muscular dystrophy was shown to be involved in the weakening of the muscles, according to the study published in journal Cell Metabolism.

In addition, researchers believe that experimental drug S107 could be used to treat the condition. The medication stabilised calstabin1, a protein that binds to ryanodine receptors and prevents calcium leaking.

Currently, exercise is the only known way to combat sarcopenia.

This follows comments from celebrity trainer and fitness entrepreneur, who said that older adults could benefit from progressive resistance exercise but must take caution when starting such a regime.

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