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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Biomolecules

Skeletal Muscle Aging Is a Significant Contributor to Systemic Aging

  • Mei-Mei Li1,2,3,4
  • Xinwei Liu1,2,3,4
  • Yixuan Li1,2,3,4
  • Han Li1,2,3,4
  • Yuhao Wang1,2,3,4
  • Kangli Qiu1,2,3,4
  • Wen Kong1,2,3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
  2. 2Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Clinical Research Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430022, China
  3. 3Hubei Key Laboratory of Metabolic Abnormalities and Vascular Aging, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
  4. 4Hubei Branch of National Center for Clinical Medical Research of Metabolic Diseases, Wuhan 430022, China
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Abstract

Skeletal muscle aging is a conserved biological process characterized by progressive declines in muscle mass, strength, regenerative capacity, and metabolic adaptability, contributing to impaired mobility, frailty and age-related diseases. Beyond its canonical role in locomotion, skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine and metabolic organ that actively regulates organismal aging through myokines, metabolites, extracellular vesicles, thermogenic activity, and dynamic communication with distant organs. In this review, we summarize the intrinsic mechanisms driving skeletal muscle aging, including protein turnover imbalance and anabolic resistance, myosteatosis, denervation and motor unit loss, and cellular composition remodeling. We also discuss how aging skeletal muscle influences systemic aging through bidirectional interactions with metabolic organs, brain, cardiovascular system, and bone via endocrine signaling and interorgan communication. Finally, we highlight emerging interventions targeting skeletal muscle aging, including exercise, nutritional strategies, pharmacological approaches, and other novel therapies. Understanding skeletal muscle as both a target and regulator of systemic aging provides a framework for developing strategies to promote healthy aging and reduce the burden of age-associated diseases.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026skeletal,
  title = {{Skeletal Muscle Aging Is a Significant Contributor to Systemic Aging}},
  author = {Mei-Mei Li and Xinwei Liu and Yixuan Li and Han Li and Yuhao Wang and Kangli Qiu and Wen Kong},
  journal = {Biomolecules},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/biom16101527},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1527},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Skeletal Muscle Aging Is a Significant Contributor to Systemic Aging
AU  - Mei-Mei Li
AU  - Xinwei Liu
AU  - Yixuan Li
AU  - Han Li
AU  - Yuhao Wang
AU  - Kangli Qiu
AU  - Wen Kong
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Biomolecules
DO  - 10.3390/biom16101527
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1527
AB  - Skeletal muscle aging is a conserved biological process characterized by progressive declines in muscle mass, strength, regenerative capacity, and metabolic adaptability, contributing to impaired mobility, frailty and age-related diseases. Beyond its canonical role in locomotion, skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine and metabolic organ that actively regulates organismal aging through myokines, metabolites, extracellular vesicles, thermogenic activity, and dynamic communication with distant organs. In this review, we summarize the intrinsic mechanisms driving skeletal muscle aging, including protein turnover imbalance and anabolic resistance, myosteatosis, denervation and motor unit loss, and cellular composition remodeling. We also discuss how aging skeletal muscle influences systemic aging through bidirectional interactions with metabolic organs, brain, cardiovascular system, and bone via endocrine signaling and interorgan communication. Finally, we highlight emerging interventions targeting skeletal muscle aging, including exercise, nutritional strategies, pharmacological approaches, and other novel therapies. Understanding skeletal muscle as both a target and regulator of systemic aging provides a framework for developing strategies to promote healthy aging and reduce the burden of age-associated diseases.
SN  - 2218-273X
ER  -