Are oxylipins a therapeutic target to improve recovery from disuse-atrophy during aging?
Older humans fail to recover skeletal muscle mass and function after bedrest, which contrasts with young and adult humans. These failed periods of recovery accelerate sarcopenia, and the associated increases in morbidity and mortality. Dr. Brown’s team is interested in understanding why aged skeletal muscle mass does not fully recover after bedrest. Oxylipins are bioactive lipid signaling molecules. Some oxylipins that are present in aged muscle can damage skeletal muscle and trigger muscle atrophy. Dr. Brown’s team aims to slow the generation or oxylipins or neutralize oxylipins that may damage skeletal muscle following disuse-atrophy to improve muscle recovery in aged subjects. Dr. Brown is combining pharmacological intervention with animal models that mimic bedrest as tools to test if reducing damaging oxylipins can improve muscle recovery in aged subjects. Oxylipin-focused therapies may be a viable therapeutic strategy that will improve the lives of aged individuals.
