Skeletal Muscle Aging: Enhancing Skeletal Muscle Integrity and Function as a Potential Pharmacological Approach

Abstract

With the increase in global life expectancy, preserving skeletal muscle (SM) health is essential for the overall well-being of older adults. Gradual decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance significantly contributes to frailty, reduced mobility, and heightened vulnerability to chronic diseases. These challenges underscore the need to formulate innovative strategies for safeguarding muscle health in aging demographics. This review analyzes the major biological and lifestyle factors influencing age-related changes, establishing a framework for understanding SM deterioration. The review focuses on structural and functional alterations of SM extracellular matrix components to identify potential intervention points for muscle waste mitigation. Additionally, we discuss novel interventions designed to preserve muscle mass and functionality. In older individuals, emerging pharmacological strategies, including innovative peptides and natural compounds, may mitigate catabolic processes, enhance muscle regeneration, and increase resilience. Concurrent lifestyle interventions, including specialized exercise regimens, nutritional enhancement, and stress reduction, augment these pharmacological approaches. This review provides a thorough resource for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals focused on functional capacity enhancement in older adults.