1932

Abstract

Loss of muscle mass can be the consequence of pathological changes, as observed in muscular dystrophies; or it can be secondary to cachexia-inducing diseases that cause muscle atrophy, such as cancer, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; or it can be a consequence of aging or simple disuse. Although muscular dystrophies are rare, muscle loss affects millions of people worldwide. We discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in muscular dystrophy and in muscle atrophy and present current strategies aimed at ameliorating these diseases. Finally, we discuss whether lessons learned from studying muscular dystrophies will also be helpful for halting muscle loss secondary to nondystrophic diseases and whether strategies to halt muscle atrophy have potential for the treatment of muscular dystrophies.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010510-100537
2011-02-10
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010510-100537
Loading
/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010510-100537
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Review Article
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error