Abstract
Sarcopenia is an age-related clinical condition characterized by the progressive loss of motor units and wasting of muscle fibers resulting in decreased muscle function. The molecular mechanisms leading to sarcopenia are not completely identified, but the increased oxidative damage occurring in muscle cells during the course of aging represents one of the most accepted underlying pathways. In fact, skeletal muscle is a highly oxygenated tissue and the generation of reactive oxygen species is particularly enhanced in both contracting and at rest conditions. It has been suggested that oral antioxidant supplementation may contribute at reducing indices of oxidative stress both in animal and human models by reinforcing the natural endogenous defenses. Aim of the present paper is to discuss present evidence related to possible benefits of oral antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.
Highlights
There is a common and diffuse false myth that aging is synonym of deterioration, pathology, and death
Sarcopenia is an age-related clinical condition characterized by the progressive loss of motor units and wasting of muscle fibers resulting in decreased muscle function
The molecular mechanisms leading to sarcopenia are not completely identified, but the increased oxidative damage occurring in muscle cells during the course of aging represents one of the most accepted underlying pathways
Summary
There is a common and diffuse false myth that aging is synonym of deterioration, pathology, and death. Aging is an extremely complex multifactorial process characterized by progressive physiological, genetic, and molecular changes, responsible for the increase risk of morbidity and death [1]. The age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength (i.e., sarcopenia) seems an unavoidable part of the aging process. But with different decline rate and timing, muscle strength decreases by about 3% yearly after 60 years of age [4]. Oxidative damage has been proposed as one of the major contributors of the skeletal muscle decline occurring with aging [7, 8]. If molecules with antioxidant capacities can counteract the oxidative damage, they may play a key role in preventing the onset of age-related conditions, including the disabling process [9]. Special attention will be obviously given to studies focused on models of aging and involving older participants
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