摘要
Mitochondrial dysfunction in aged skeletal muscle has been mainly attributable to mtDNA deletions, uncoupling in oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP deficit. Moreover, the accumulation of damaged mitochondria is associated with imperfect autophagocytosis and declined biogenesis of efficient mitochondria. Mitochondria-associated apoptotic signaling is involved in the loss of fibers and atrophy of the remaining fibers by ROS, TNF-α, and denervation, leading to sarcopenia. Current investigations have indicated that exercise, especially resistance exercise, has extensively preventive effects on sarcopenia. Whether caloric restriction in aged animals is suitable for aged people remains to be further clinlically experimented. Additionally, it will be interesting to develop effectively supplementary and alternative medical methods associated with Chinese tonifying herbs to prevent or reverse sarcopenia in the future because of their efficacy and less frequent side effects.
