ACTISAP - Activin -Myostatin in Sarcopenia Pathogenesis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
‘Identification of causative agents responsible for skeletal muscle wasting’ (Sarcopenia) in an older population.’ ACTISAP
IRAS ID
331363
Contact name
Ketan Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sarcopenia is an age-associated decline of skeletal muscle mass and function and leads to frailty, poor quality of life lengthy hospitalisation and death. Sarcopenia is experienced by a huge number of older people; a problem that will worsen as the population ages.
At present we have no way to effectively slow the rate of human muscle function loss
although exercise and nutrition play a minor role.
Ground breaking research at the University of Reading has discovered molecules that
circulate in the blood stream that act through the Activin receptor causing muscle wasting.
Blocking the activity of these molecules in a mouse model prevented the loss of muscle and importantly led to the rejuvenation of other organs including the bone.In order to determine the importance of this pathway in the context of sarcopenia research is required to establish the role played by specific blood borne factors.
We hypothesize that muscle wasting in the human population is mediated by the activity of molecules that act through the Activin receptor.
Here we will measure the levels of molecules that act through the receptor in blood of sarcopenic older people and compare these to values from healthy older people and young persons.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0185
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion