As the title suggest, the article that I chose looks at studies done that shows a correlation between age and muscle break down caused by the expression of these particular genes, primarily in men, as they age. Essentially the expression of these genes cause more of a release of certain enzymes, called atrogin-1 and MuRF-1,which break down muscle tissue. Researchers also noticed that the greater the expression of the MuRF-1 enzyme the lower the levels of IGF-1 (Insulin Growth-like Factors) which increase the growth of cells and tissues in the human body. However to minimize these effects, specialized weight training routines can help to counter act muscular atrophy and maintain muscle mass.
This is interesting because it is common knowledge that as you get older you lose muscle mass exponentially, however now it appears that there may be genes that control how much mass you actually lose. I wonder how they would control the expression of this gene and if there are other problems attributed to this gene beyond muscular atrophy, such as low testosterone levels in men. Testosterone, or other hormones, when used as prescribed, would help to negate muscle loss and overall heath in older men and women as well. Do you think it is plausible to use human hormones to control the effects of this gene's expression?
I think its true. I have heard and seen stories where certian hormones are now injected to help grow not just in muscle, but even your height. I don't know to what extent these facts are true or have been proven. Regardless, i don't think controlling this gene's expression is healthy. That would be mutating a gene, and perhaps when reproducing this controlled gene expression could carry onto the offsprings, which could create more testosterone than the average amount, which can't be a good thing.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if scientists could figure out a way to control the expression of these genes, then they may be able to retard the break-down of muscle tissue that comes along with aging.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting read.
ReplyDeleteAs for the testosterone levels, older males have 7-8 times as much testosterone as the younger but the sensitivity of the cells to this hormone is very very low. It's not enough to have high testosterone levels. Your cells must be permiable for this hormone. And what age does is it damages cells rendering them ineefective as a transport for nutrients.
Genes are affected by hormones. Hormones have been shown to function by affecting the genes in the nucleus. So yes, it's plausible