Abstract
A spinal cord injury (SCI) may lead to loss of strength, sensation, locomotion and other body functions distal to the lesion site. Individuals with SCI also develop secondary conditions due to the lack of skeletal muscle activity. As SCI case numbers increase, recent studies have attempted to determine the best options to salvage affected musculature before it is lost. These approaches include pharmacotherapeutic options, immunosuppressants, physical activity or a combination thereof. Associated biomarkers are increasingly used to determine if these treatments aid in the protection and reconstruction of affected musculature.
Highlights
Recent studies reported that between 250,000 and 368,000 individuals in the United States are affected by spinal cord injuries (SCI); 17% of these individuals are veterans [1]
This review focuses on muscle atrophy as a detrimental secondary complication after spinal cord injury (SCI)
While different biomarkers are expressed in muscle hypertrophy, some biomarkers encourage muscular growth, which is important for individuals recovering from SCI (Figure 3)
Summary
Recent studies reported that between 250,000 and 368,000 individuals in the United States are affected by spinal cord injuries (SCI); 17% of these individuals are veterans [1]. This number has risen by 5000 over the past few years and has created a large financial handicap for many families [3] This injury brings numerous secondary complications, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and bone demineralization, which further contribute to the financial hardship [4,5,6]. While both males and females are affected by SCI, women are found to have greater improvements in overall recovery, possibly due to the beneficial effects of estrogen [7,8]. Combinations of physical activity and pharmacological modalities may allow for the greatest improvement in functional outcomes
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