Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of diseaseSep 20, 2025

Muscle Breakdown from Aging Compared to Space Travel

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 7, 2026

Abstract

Simulated microgravity induces rapid suppression of the IGF-1/Akt/mTOR axis.

Sarcopenia is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function due to age, with similarities to changes observed in simulated microgravity.
Impaired excitation-contraction coupling and altered calcium balance are noted in both aging-related sarcopenia and simulated microgravity.
Simulated microgravity accelerates mitochondrial dysfunction and activates pathways associated with muscle breakdown, paralleling the aging process.
Unique responses to simulated microgravity include early activation of myostatin-Smad signaling and autophagy, which differ from those seen in aging.
Differential responses in mechanotransduction pathways and redox-sensitive systems are observed in the context of simulated microgravity compared to sarcopenia.
Instability at the neuromuscular junction and changes in muscle fiber types contribute to the muscle adaptation processes in both aging and simulated microgravity.

Simplified

Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, represents a major clinical concern, particularly in the context of disuse and unloading conditions such as simulated microgravity. This review explores the molecular, cellular, and physiological responses of skeletal muscle to simulated microgravity and compares them with those observed during aging-associated sarcopenia. A central focus is placed on impaired excitation-contraction coupling, altered calcium homeostasis, and dysregulation of signalling pathways critical for muscle maintenance. Simulated microgravity induces rapid suppression of the IGF-1/Akt/mTOR axis, activation of FOXO-mediated proteolysis, and mitochondrial dysfunction via AMPK-PGC-1α inhibition, paralleling but accelerating the trajectory observed with aging. Unique to the effects of simulated microgrvity is the early upregulation and partial reversibility of myostatin-Smad signalling and autophagy activation, which diverge in pattern and timing from aging. Additionally, mechanotransduction pathways such as YAP/TAZ and redox-sensitive systems like NRF2 respond differently in simulated microgravity and sarcopenia. We further highlight the emerging role of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) instability, fiber-type switching, and nuclear calcium signalling in both contexts, emphasizing their contribution to excitation-transcription coupling and long-term muscle adaptation. The insights from simulated microgravity models not only deepen our mechanistic understanding of sarcopenia but also offer a controlled platform to explore interventions. By delineating the overlapping and distinct molecular signatures of disuse-induced and age-related muscle loss, this review provides a foundation for developing targeted countermeasures for muscle atrophy in both clinical and spaceflight settings.

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Muscle Breakdown from Aging Compared to Space Travel

Abstract

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