Buchumschlag

Sex-Dependent Effects of Aging and Insulin Resistance on Skeletal Muscle Function and Structure in Rats

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Veröffentlicht in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol. 26, no. 14 (2025), p. 6783-6802
1. Verfasser: Sosa, Patricia
Weitere Verfasser: Angulo, Javier, Sánchez-Ferrer, Alberto, Gómez-Cabrera, Maria Carmen, Fernández Argentina, Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio, El Assar Mariam
Veröffentlicht:
MDPI AG
Schlagworte:
Gender differences
Quality of life
Diabetes
Insulin resistance
Life expectancy
Age
Animals
Musculoskeletal system
Sarcopenia
Aging
Testosterone
Force
Older people
Females
Women
Muscle function
Males
Sexes
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Abstract:Skeletal muscle function is determinant for maintaining functional performance and independence in older adults. Muscle is a primary target of aging and insulin resistance (IR)—two conditions associated with functional decline. Sex-related differences may influence these effects at structural and functional levels. We aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of aging and IR on the function and structure of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles in male and female rats. Animals aged 3 and 20 months were studied, with IR induced by 8 weeks of 20% fructose in drinking water. Muscle contractility was assessed alongside histological and hormonal analyses. In males, aging impaired EDL and soleus contractile force, free testosterone levels, and muscle mass. IR decreased muscle function only in young animals. In females, aging led to muscle loss without affecting contractile strength, but the combination of aging and IR reduced muscle contraction, decreased estradiol and exacerbated muscle loss. Both sexes showed aging-related loss of EDL glycolytic fibers, altered regenerative capacity, and increased fibrosis. IR alone reduced glycolytic fibers in young animals of both sexes but increased fibrosis only in males. These results highlight sex-specific effects of aging and IR on muscle function, relevant for targeted strategies to prevent and treat age- and IR-related muscle function decline.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms26146783
Quelle:Health & Medical Collection