New hormone to preserve muscle mass in zero gravity discovered by RAS scientists

The scientists' research will help protect muscles in space, as well as with a sedentary lifestyle on Earth

Scientists from the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in the course of their own research, discovered that the "hormone of mobility", known as the MOTS-c peptide, can protect muscles from depletion in the absence of physical activity.

The studies were conducted on rats. They were injected with MOTS-c for seven days, simulating zero gravity conditions. It turned out that the muscles of rats receiving the drug retained their strength and endurance. In the control group of animals that did not receive the drug, muscle mass decreased by 10-15%.

The MOTS-c peptide, known as the "hormone of mobility", can protect muscles from depletion in the absence of physical activity. The results showed that the muscles of rats receiving the drug retained their strength and endurance, unlike the control group, in which muscle mass decreased by 10-15%.

Project manager Kristina Sharlo said that muscle loss has become a problem not only for astronauts, but also for many people on Earth. A third of adults lead a sedentary lifestyle. They risk facing muscle weakness.

Experts intend to continue research and find out how the level of calcium affects the functioning of muscle fibers. This will help to understand how they are able to resist fatigue.

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