Scientists from the Siberian State Medical University (SSMU) have developed an innovative method for the early diagnosis of sarcopenia—the pathological, age-related loss of muscle mass—even before prominent symptoms manifest. The findings of this groundbreaking research were published in the esteemed journal Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark.
Understanding Sarcopenia
As people age, many experience increasing weakness, finding it more challenging to perform daily activities such as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or even simply rising from a chair. This condition, known as sarcopenia, is a progressive decline in muscle strength and mass that significantly reduces quality of life and independence, as highlighted by SSMU researchers. Sarcopenia is recognized as one of the top five major risk factors contributing to morbidity and mortality among individuals over 65 years old.
The Novel Diagnostic Approach
In response to this critical health challenge, SSMU specialists have created a unique diagnostic method that will enable medical professionals to detect the onset of sarcopenia at its earliest stages. This innovative approach can be likened to integrating a new, highly informative biomarker into a standard biochemical blood test.
«Today, doctors confirm diabetes risk based on glucose levels. Our work lays the foundation for similarly simple and effective detection of incipient sarcopenia.»
— Dmitry Svarovsky, Assistant Professor at SSMU
Liquid Biopsy and Key Biomarkers
The foundation of the developed method is liquid biopsy—a blood test focused on extracellular vesicles (microscopic bubbles released by cells) and specific types of macrophages (immune system cells). The scientists discovered that these blood components carry valuable information about the state of muscle tissue and the processes of its degradation. According to SSMU experts, this approach opens new possibilities for timely medical intervention and the development of personalized treatment strategies.
Svarovsky emphasized, «Many of the indicators studied were considered previously, but no prior research combined their analysis with liquid biopsy simultaneously.» The study identified dozens of numerical patterns, including a 1.4-fold increase in the concentration of the protein vitronectin, dysfunctions of which are known to be associated with tissue aging.
Pioneering Early Detection
The research involved analyzing over 40 different parameters across several patient groups. A unique aspect of this work was the inclusion of a «presarcopenia» group—an initial stage of the disease that, until now, could only be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. This allowed for the identification of specific markers signaling the development of sarcopenia at its earliest phases.
Future Implications and Collaborative Research
«We managed to gain a fresh, in-depth perspective on the pathogenesis of this disease. In the future, these identified indicators could be used not only for early diagnosis but also as therapeutic targets for developing both classical and entirely new medicinal compounds within the framework of life-extension technologies,» stated the university.
This multidisciplinary study brought together clinical medicine specialists in geriatrics and endocrinology, as well as experts in fundamental medicine, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The university also noted that one of the key co-authors of the article is Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieukhi, a postgraduate student from Nigeria.
Currently, the scientists plan to focus on further investigating the role of the identified indicators in sarcopenia`s pathogenesis. The research was conducted at the Departmental Scientific and Educational Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Biology, established under the federal program «Priority-2030.»
