Active clinical trials for "Muscular Atrophy"

An MRI study to develop a reliable methodology for 31P MRS ischaemic exercise in order to obtain a consistent standard of measurement of muscle metabolism while maintaining an acceptable level of subject comfort and use optimised method to measure and compare metabolism in the biceps and quadriceps of patients with COPD-related myopathy and control subjects

Skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with catabolic conditions such as major surgical interventions and leads to reduced muscle strength, increased clinical complications and prolonged convalescence. Several studies revealed immobilisation as a major stimulus for muscle wasting in severely ill patients. This study investigates the potency of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on skeletal muscle growth factors and degradation processes in major abdominal surgery patients.

The investigators propose to prepare for clinical trials where SMA patients are asked to join the research effort. The visits will include questions, physical exam, blood drawing, and sometimes X-rays and a skin biopsy. The investigators will use modern computer methods to process the information during which the investigators will plan a clinical trial. Once the clinical trial begins, the investigators will offer SMA patients participation if they meet the criteria for that trial. Identifying an effective SMA treatment is very important because there is currently none. Clinical trials are the only way to decide whether a new treatment works in SMA patients or not.

The primary aim of this research proposal is to examine whether this novel training program approach is capable to tackle excessive loss in muscle mass, function and contractile capacity with aging. Previous investigations have universally shown a dramatic loss in type II muscle fibers, while certain countermeasures in their follow-up studies were generally ineffective and limited to attenuate this phenomenon. Probably, they failed to meet recruitment threshold of larger motor units and subsequently innervate type II muscle fibers. Furthermore, previous investigations also failed to provide any data on specific blood markers that may provide additional insight into muscle fiber loss with aging. Muscle fibers type II play a crucial role in the human ability to produce as much as force as possible over a limited time-frame (e.g. 100-200 ms) to counteract unexpected perturbations during stair climbing for example and thus avoiding falls. Therefore, this data collection would be noteworthy in particular, especially for this population due to health-related outcomes and healthy aging process. Since age-related decline is accelerated already after short bouts of physical inactivity, with small recovery potential, any attempt to counteract age-related and disuse-related decline have high clinical significance. Based on the findings, data collected may aid in development of safety guidelines and protocols aimed at reducing health risks in this specific population. Importantly, in case the aforementioned hypotheses are confirmed, present findings may offer important information to the healthcare system, especially for reducing economic burden.

Single-centre observational study over one year investigating the mechanisms of muscle homeostasis in patients with acute skeletal muscle atrophy following major aortic surgery

This study aims to investigate the effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on skeletal muscle wasting, physical function, strength and quality of life in survivors of critical illness. In addition, protein turnover, muscle biology and muscle histology will be investigated.

The reverse Nordic curl is a body-weight exercise which mainly works the quadriceps and hip flexors. It has a large eccentric component, meaning the muscles are working whilst lengthening. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the reverse Nordic curl exercise on Quadriceps femoris muscles injuries among soccer players. It hypothesized that reverse Nordic curl exercise has a beneficial effect in terms of Quadriceps femoris muscles injury prevention.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airway obstruction and inflammatory response of the lungs and bronchi. Episodes of exacerbations contribute to increase the severity and prognosis of the disease. Muscle dysfunction (loss of strengh and muscle mass) is one of comorbidities affecting 30% to 60% of patients and playing a key role in their prognosis. During exacerbation, some studies have suggested an association between muscle dysfunction and modifications of inflammatory circulating factors such as CRP, TNF-alpha, IL- 6, IL8, but no exhaustive study has identified precisely one (or more) biomarker(s) that can induce this muscle wasting during the exacerbation of COPD. Our hypothesis is that the serum of exacerbated COPD patients represents a deleterious microenvironment for the muscle cells which would amplify the mechanisms of atrophy linked to hospitalization. Our team has already developed a cell culture model to study the effects of the plasma microenvironment on atrophy of cultured myotubes. The investigators have shown that the serum of COPD patients can induce muscle atrophy. The objectives of this study are : 1/ to evaluate the effects of circulating pro-inflammatory factors on atrophy and the myogenic capacities of muscle cells; and 2/ to identify one (or more) circulating biomarker (s) that may be responsible for the muscle damage induced by the microenvironment of hospitalized patients for exacerbation of COPD. First, myotubes and myoblasts of healthy subjects will be cultivated with 9 exacerbation copd patient serum or 9 copd patient serum or 9 healthy subject serum. Myotube diameters, atrophy, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and alteration of the myogenic capacity of satellite cells will be compared between three groups. Second, the differential expression of circulating proinflammatory molecules will be compared in the serum of the three groups. Identifying circulating factors associated with muscle weakness is a necessary step to better understand the mechanisms and consider a personalized therapeutic approach that can improve the functional and clinical prognosis of disease. .

The research project is aiming to examine the muscular adaptations to resistance training (RT), detraining (DT) and repeated RT (i.e. retraining). The research project will also examine differences in muscular adaptations between 20 weeks of continuous RT and 20 weeks of intermittent RT including a 10-week DT period in the middle of the training intervention. This is randomized controlled trial in which the research participants will be randomized into discontinuous and continuous groups (both n=~20). Both will be doing a 2-3-week familiarization and control period at the start. Then in the former there will be an initial strength training period (10-wks), a DT period (10-wks), and a second strength training (retraining) period (10-wks). The second group includes a 10-wk non-training control period (10-wks) followed by a RT period (20-wks). Participants will be young, healthy men and women (age 18-35, which 50% are females) with no systematic RT experience during the last 6 months. Measurements will be completed before and after each study period. Body composition will be measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and 3D body scans. Dynamic leg press and elbow flexion one repetition-maximum (1RM) will be used to test maximal strength. Anaerobic performance and strength endurance will be tested in elbow flexion and dynamic leg press using RM tests. Vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps brachii muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) will be assessed via ultrasound. Muscle biopsies of the VL muscle will be obtained to assess changes in muscle fiber morphology and factors regulating and associated with the hypertrophic processes and metabolism. Blood samples will be collected to analyze changes in metabolism and physiology. A rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during training will be collected after every exercise to ensure proper training intensity. Finally, nutrition and habitual physical activity will be assessed with 4-day diet diaries and physical activity questionnaires before the intervention and during each 10-week period.

This project will investigate the synergistic effects of Aerobic and Resistance type Exercise, in combination with Protein Supplementation, on; Body Composition, Musculoskeletal Functioning, Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Age-related Sarcopenia.