Sarcopenia, a condition shared by various diseases: can we alleviate or delay the progression?

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a severe condition common to various chronic diseases and it is reckoned as a major health problem. It encompasses many different molecular mechanisms that have been for a while discovered but not definitely clarified. Although sarcopenia is a disability status that leads to serious health consequences, the scarcity of suitable animal models has curtailed research addressing this disorder. Another limitation in the field of clinical investigation of sarcopenic patients is the lack of a generally accepted definition coupled with the difficulty of adopting common diagnostic criteria. In fact, both do not permit to clarify the exact prevalence rate and consequently limit physicians to establish any kind of therapeutical approach or, when possible, to adopt preventive measures. Unfortunately, there is no standardized cure, apart from doing more physical activity and embracing a balanced diet, but newly discovered substances start being considered. In this review, authors try to give an overview addressing principal pathways of sarcopenia and offer critical features of various possible interventions.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Elderly; Natural products; Obesity; Sarcopenia; Therapy.