Abstract

POWERS, Scott K.  and  KAVAZIS, Andreas N.. Inactivity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy: a brief review. Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2008, vol.8, n.2, pp.299-307. ISSN 1645-0523.

Skeletal muscle is an adaptable tissue that responds rapidly to both increased contractile activity and inactivity. For example, lengthy periods of skeletal muscle disuse (e.g., bed rest) result in a decline of muscle protein and muscular strength. Our understanding of the processes that contribute to disuse muscle atrophy has expanded markedly during the past two decades and this review will provide an overview of the mechanisms responsible for disuse-mediated muscle atrophy. The first segment of this review will outline the experimental models commonly used to investigate disuse muscle atrophy. The second section will discuss our current understanding of muscle proteases whereas the final sector will identify the role that reactive oxygen species play in inactivity-induced muscle atrophy.

Keywords : redox; oxidants; antioxidants; proteasome; calpain; caspase-3; reactive oxygen species.

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