A research group led by Associate Professor Takashi Kudo and Professor Satoshi Takahashi of Tsukuba University has found that in an artificial gravity environment, the reduction in muscle weight and changes in muscle fiber type and gene expression that occur in the micro-gravity environment of the universe are suppressed. Revealed for the first time.It is expected to lead to the development of measures to prevent muscle atrophy due to aging.
As humans age, various functions decline.Among them, age-related muscle weakness is called sarcopenia, and muscle atrophy, decrease in muscle fiber size, and structural change in muscle fiber type occur.This is similar to the changes that occur in the human body in the space environment, but the mechanism is not fully understood.The research group focused on skeletal muscle, one of the most affected tissues in the micro-gravity environment of the universe, and worked to elucidate the relationship between gravity and skeletal muscle.
In this research, we used a small animal breeding device developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2016.This device is capable of strict breeding control and can be loaded with artificial gravity using a centrifuge.In the "Kibo" experimental building of the International Space Station (ISS), long-term breeding of mice was carried out for about one month in the micro-gravity environment and artificial gravity environment (1G) of the universe, and changes in soleus muscle were analyzed.
As a result, in the artificial gravity environment, the decrease in muscle weight and the change in muscle fiber type and gene expression that occur in the micro-gravity environment were suppressed.In addition, we discovered a new gene (Cacng1) involved in muscular atrophy that was previously unknown.Expression of this Cacng1 gene in cultured cells and mouse skeletal muscle induced muscular atrophy.
The results of this research will not only provide basic data for long-term manned space exploration on the Moon and Mars, but may also be the key to clarifying a part of the mechanism of muscular atrophy seen on the ground such as bedridden. There is.
Paper information:[Scientific Reports] Transcriptome analysis of gravitational effects on mouse skeletal muscles under microgravity and artificial 1 g onboard environment
