Testosterone improves the regeneration of old and young mouse skeletal muscle

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013 Jan;68(1):17-26. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gls083. Epub 2012 Apr 12.

Abstract

Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength, reduced satellite cell number, and lower regenerative potential. Testosterone increases muscle mass, strength, and satellite cell number in humans; however, the effects of testosterone on the regenerative potential of skeletal muscle are unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of testosterone on the skeletal muscle regeneration of young (2-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male mice. We show that testosterone increases the number of proliferating satellite cells in regenerating "tibialis anterior" muscle of young and aged castrated mice 2 and 4 days postinjury. Testosterone supplementation increases the number and the cross-sectional area of regenerating fibers in both classes of age 4 days postinjury. Testosterone increases satellite cell activation and proliferation and the regeneration of both young and aged mouse muscle. These data suggest prospective application of androgens to improve the regenerating potential of the aged human skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Aging / pathology
  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / injuries
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Orchiectomy
  • Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / cytology
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / drug effects
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Testosterone
  • Myosin Heavy Chains