Novel Therapeutic Strategy for the Prevention of Bone Fractures

: Falls and debilitating bone fractures are a major problem for veterans, and more than 40,000 veterans suffered hip fractures from 2000-2002. Falls are the main etiological factor in more than 90% of fractures, and so treatments that can improve muscle strength while at the same time increasing bone mass will significantly reduce fracture-related morbidity and mortality. Myostatin is a factor that induces muscle wasting and suppresses bone formation. Our data collected thus far demonstrate i) myostatin suppresses proliferation of aged, but not young, myoblasts, ii) myostatin is elevated with age in muscles composed primarily of slow-twitch fibers (e.g. soleus), and iii) myostatin increases muscle mass and muscle fiber size in aged mice. These findings suggest that myostatin inhibitors may have potential for suppressing muscle wasting and improving muscle repair in older individuals, but their effect on bone may be less significant.