Final Report Summary - MYOPHAGY (DEFINING THE MECHANISMS OF AGE-RELATED MUSCLE LOSS: FOCUS ON AUTOPHAGY)
The system that maintains the cells of our body clear from damaged organelles and abnormal proteins is failing during ageing. The reduction of this system (autophagy) leads to a precocious senescence of skeletal and cardiac muscles and peripheral nervous system and causes weakness and premature death. The failure of autophagy induces an increase of oxidative stress that damages the contractile proteins and alters the stability of the muscle-nerve interaction. The source of this oxidative stress is the organelle known as mitochondria that is not anymore removed by autophagy system when is dysfunctional. Exercise and the diet are important to preserve the functionality of this system during ageing and to prevent excessive oxidative stress, weakness and decreased quality of life.