Work

Skeletal Muscle Disuse Atrophy and the Rehabilitative Role of Protein in Recovery from Musculoskeletal Injury

Year: 2020

Type: review

Abstract: Muscle atrophy and weakness occur as a consequence of disuse after musculoskeletal injury (MSI). The slow recovery and persistence of these deficits even after physical rehabilitation efforts indicate that interventions designed to attenuate muscle atrophy and protect muscle function are necessary to accelerate and optimize recovery from MSI. Evidence suggests that manipulating protein intake via dietary protein or free amino acid-based supplementation diminishes muscle atrophy and/or preserves muscle function in experimental models of disuse (i.e., immobilization and bed rest in healthy populations). However, this concept has rarely been considered in the context of disuse following MSI, which often occurs with some muscle activation during postinjury physical rehabilitation. Given that exercise sensitizes skeletal muscle to the anabolic effect of protein ingestion, early rehabilitation may act synergistically with dietary protein to protect muscle mass and function during postinjury disuse conditions. This narrative review explores mechanisms of skeletal muscle disuse atrophy and recent advances delineating the role of protein intake as a potential countermeasure. The possible synergistic effect of protein-based interventions and postinjury rehabilitation in attenuating muscle atrophy and weakness following MSI is also considered.

Source: Advances in Nutrition

DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa015

Authors: Emily E Howard, Stefan M Pasiakos, Maya A Fussell, Nancy R Rodriguez

Institutions: U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Language: English

Topic: Muscle metabolism and nutrition

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,200