Researchers discovered previously undiscovered genes that appear to play an important role in muscle ageing, potentially leading to new treatments for age-related muscle deterioration. Nottingham Trent University conducted this study in partnership with Sweden's Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, and Anglia Ruskin University, which was published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle.

The findings shed fresh light on the genetic pathways that drive muscle ageing, a natural process that results in muscle mass loss, diminished strength, and lower endurance. The elderly experience a rise in physical impairments and falls due to this gradual degradation. The researchers believe that this discovery may open up new pathways for medication development aimed at reducing or maybe reversing muscle ageing.

The study looked at gene expression records from two groups: younger adults aged 21–43 and older adults aged 63–79, to see how muscle ageing affects resistance training. The scientists used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the top 200 genes that influence muscle ageing and exercise effects, highlighting the strongest relationships between them.

A key result was the significance of the USP54 gene in muscle breakdown in the elderly. "This gene seems to play a key role in muscle ageing and sarcopenia," a disease characterised by severe muscle loss linked to ageing, according to the study. Muscle biopsies from elderly persons verified this, with the gene showing high expression.

Dr. Lívia Santos, an expert in musculoskeletal biology at Nottingham Trent University, emphasised the significance of the discovery: "We want to identify genes that we can use to delay the effects of ageing and extend the health span." We analysed the data in 20 different ways, and the relevant genes consistently remained the same.

While exercise remains the only widely suggested treatment for muscle ageing and sarcopenia, the researchers discovered genes associated with resistance exercise that could help build more tailored therapies. Confirmation of these findings could lead to the development of exercise-based therapies that preserve muscle mass in older individuals, thereby reducing the risk of falls and physical disability.

One of the researchers, Dr. Janelle Tarum, emphasised the uniqueness of using AI in the study of muscle ageing, stating that the field of skeletal muscle mass regulation has never used AI before. This inspired us to use AI to find new genes that can help us better understand and forecast sarcopenia, or to use them as targets for medicines that could improve sarcopenia research.

However, the researchers underscore the need for additional research before implementing these insights. While these genes' discovery is promising, more research is needed to use them for drug development or other interventions.

Because muscle ageing is associated with increased physical weakness, which raises the risk of falls, injuries, and related disability in older people, it poses a serious public health concern. Muscle ageing is a significant difficulty. Dr. Santos stated that the loss of muscle mass and strength not only alters a person's stride, making them more prone to falls, but also increases their risk of a variety of physical problems, making it a significant public health concern.

The findings highlight the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle ageing. As the world population ages, addressing muscle deterioration and sarcopenia becomes increasingly important for maintaining quality of life and lowering healthcare costs related to aged care.

In summary, although the discovery of these hitherto unidentified genes marks a significant breakthrough in our comprehension of muscle ageing, further research remains necessary. The use of AI in this study has the potential to find previously unknown genomic targets, although actual applications in therapies or medications may take some time to emerge.