The role of AGEs in skeletal muscle atrophy and the beneficial effects of exercise

AGEs bind to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), which leads to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis, an increase in protein degradation, impairment of muscle fiber regeneration ability, and aggravation of myocyte apoptosis, thereby inducing or exacerbating skeletal muscle atrophy. Exercise can reduce the harmful effects of AGEs on muscle mass. Specifically, exercise can reduce the formation of AGEs by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization, as well as alleviating chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, exercise enhances the metabolic capacity of the kidneys for AGEs. These findings provide new insights for the development of drug regimens targeting the "AGEs-RAGE" axis and exercise interventions. In the future, in-depth clarification of the role of AGEs in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle atrophy and the improvement mechanism mediated by exercise will provide an important basis for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia related to aging and metabolic disorders.