Does an Exercise Mimetic Improve Bone and Muscle Health in Obesity?

This project sought to examine how obesity and aging affect muscle and bone composition, specifically if an exercise memetic (myostatin deletion) would improve muscle model (db/db) in combination with myostatin deletion. Our methods were to use whole body DXA scans to examine bone mineral density and in vivo muscle stimulation to look at twitch power and fatigability of muscle. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances in the world today, this project is still currently ongoing. Preliminary results indicate that myostatin deletion in an obese mouse model does rescue bone mineral density in male obese mice and the in vivo preparation for muscle function was mastered. While the work is ongoing, it does seem that targeting myostatin inhibition may serve as an effective mechanism to improve muscle strength/function in obesity, as well as maintain overall bone health.