Alverine citrate promotes myogenic differentiation and ameliorates muscle atrophy

Authors
JH Yoon, SM Lee, Y Lee et al

Lab
Aging Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 1Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Journal
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Abstract
Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function and no pharmacological medication has been approved for its treatment. We established an atrogin-1/MAFbx promoter assay to find drug candidates that inhibit myotube atrophy. Alverine citrate (AC) was identified using high-throughput screening of an existing drug library. AC is an established medicine for stomach and intestinal spasms. AC treatment increased myotube diameter and inhibited atrophy signals induced by either C26-conditioned medium or dexamethasone in cultured C2C12 myoblasts. AC also enhanced myoblast fusion through the upregulation of fusion-related genes during C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Oral administration of AC improves muscle mass and physical performance in aged mice, as well as hindlimb-disused mice. Taken together, our data suggest that AC may be a novel therapeutic candidate for improving muscle weakness, including sarcopenia.

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Grip strength test (BIO-GS3)