In the recent study at the Salk Institute and published by Nature Communications, researchers showed that by using molecular compounds it can speed up the regeneration of muscle tissue. These compounds are commonly used in the research of stem cells. As we age loss of muscle mass is a concern in regards to causing disabilities.

Regeneration of muscle cells was increased in mice using these compounds by activation of the precursors of muscle cells. These are called myogenic progenitors and the loss of these could be connected to muscle degeneration in age-related groups. This study found several factors that could speed up muscle regeneration and reveal the mechanism by which the loss occurred.

The study used compounds discovered by the Japanese scientist Yamanaka, therefore, naming them Yamanaka factors. They consist of proteins that have been labeled transcription factors. DNA is copied to translate into other proteins by these factors. These proteins are then used during the research in the lab to change specialized cells, possibly skin cells into a cell that is more like a stem cell. They become pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to become a different kind of cell. The lab research already knew these factors could rejuvenate cells to promote tissue regeneration but now they know how it happens.

Regenerating muscle is found to be mediated by muscle stem cells. These are also called satellite cells. They are specific to an area between connective tissue and muscle fibers. After the addition of the Yamanaka factors the research team used two mouse models to point to the muscle stem cell or niche changes. The mice used were young so that the findings of the factors were not age dependent.

In the muscle fiber model niche, muscle regeneration was increased by adding the Yamanaka factors. This worked by the reduction level of a protein called Wnt4. This activated the satellite cells to speed up muscle recovery or function. The stem cell model did not activate any satellite cells, therefore, not improving muscle regeneration. This suggests that Wnt4 is an important role in muscle regeneration.

More studies will need to be done but this study is promising in that an approach to regenerating muscle tissue can be found.

To view the original scientific study click below:
In vivo partial reprogramming of myofibers promotes muscle regeneration by remodeling the stem cell niche

A team at Utah State University have shown that using silkworm silk for growing skeletal muscle cells will improve upon typical methods of cell culture. The hope is that this will lead to better treatments for muscles that have atrophied.

When researchers set out to understand disease and also test treatments, they will typically grow model cells on some kind of flat plastic surface such as a petri dish. However, growing cells on a surface that is two-dimensional has limitations, mostly due to the fact that muscle tissue is
three-dimensional.

The team at USU have developed a three-dimensional surface for cell cultures through growing cells on silk fibers that encase an acrylic chassis. They used both transgenic and native silkworm silk with the transgenic silkworm silk produced by silkworms that were modified with silk genes from spiders.

Previously, native silkworm silks were used as three-dimensional models for cell cultures, however this is the first time using transgenic silkworm silk for modeling of skeletal muscle.

Cells that have been grown on silkworm silk demonstrated to more closely copy human skeletal muscle than those that had been grown on typical plastic surfaces. These cells appeared to increase mechanical flexibility and also increased gene expression that is required for contraction of muscles. The silk from silkworms also encouraged proper alignment of muscle fiber which is a necessary element for achieving robust muscle modeling.

The job of skeletal muscle is to not only move the skeleton but also protect internal organs and stabilize joints. Any deterioration of these particular muscles can occur for a variety of reasons and it can happen quite quickly. An an example, following just two weeks of being mobilized, a person can lose close to a quarter of their muscle strength in their quadriceps. By understanding how muscles atrophy quite quickly must start at a cellular level through cells grown to represent reality.

The goal for the team’s research was to build better in vitro models. Cells grown on 2D platforms are not particularly realistic, although they can supply a good bit of information. Based on these results, researchers typically transition to an animal model and then move forward to clinical trials where unfortunately most fail. The current team is trying to add on to the first step through developing vitro models that are more realistic of diseased and normal tissue.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Silkworm Silk Fiber Bundles as Improved In Vitro Scaffolds for Skeletal Muscle

In a new development at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, researchers have designed a new material to prevent infections in wounds. The specially designed hydrogel consists of material that works against all kinds of bacteria even antiobiotic-resistant ones.

They tested this new hydrogel on all types of bacteria and observed a very high incidence of effectiveness. It was even effective on bacteria that had become resistant to antiobiotics.

The main reason for the study was to explore new medical technology in hope of solutions to reduce the use of systemic antiobiotics. Bacteria that is resistant cause a hospital-acquired infection which can be life threatening.

This new hydrogel material consists of antimicrobial peptides. These are small natural proteins found in our immune systems. Working with these peptides they found out there is a low risk for bacteria to develop resistance against them. But these peptides break down quickly when they are exposed to bodily fluids such as blood. The researchers have found a way to overcome this problem through developing a nanostructured hydrogel. The peptides are permanently bound to it which creates a protective environment. The hydrogel is gentle on the skin and harmless to the body’s own cells.

The research has shown that the peptides break down slowly when they are bound to the hydrogel, thus creating a protective effect.

The results have been outstanding and the researchers are amazed at the surprisingly positive results. This is considered to be the first medical device successfully using antimicrobial peptides in a commercially and clinically viable manner. The uses of this new hydrogel are quite varied and create promising opportunities for clinical application.

This new material needs be to clinically studied further but the benefit to hospitals and patients has generated interest around the world.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Antimicrobial Peptide-Functionalized Mesoporous Hydrogels

Recent research led by Stanford University shows how increasing a persons access to nature is beneficial for overall health. It shows that people that live in cities need places to go to that will increase their physical activity. Places in nature such as parks, lakes, green spaces will help boost a persons physical activity, therefore, increasing their overall wellbeing.

Spending time outdoors in nature can provide health benefits that have previously been unstudied. Since the last year has been shelter-in-place, it is now understood how spending time in nature is especially important for city-dwellers. Being around parks, green spaces, lakes, trees provide support emotional, cognitive and spiritual well-being. They also provide physical activity for people that otherwise would miss if these spaces were not around them in the city.

This study can help city planners design green spaces that would support people’s health to receive nature’s benefits. Walking to a garden, or riding a bicycle along a path or just sitting in a beautiful park help people relieve stress and enjoy nature. Being in nature can help boost attention, memory and creativity and help a person become happier and have a sense of meaning in life.

It has become increasingly harder for people to easily access nature as our cities become more urbanized. This research will hopefully help identify where urban nature spaces are missing and plan to fill in these places with parks or green spaces.

The goal is to provide more healthy, livable places in the city where people can be with nature and increase physical and emotional well-being. This new research shows an important link between physical health and nature that had previously been missing.

To view the original scientific study click below:

Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective