The role of GSK-3 in myogenesis and recovery of atrophied muscle

Loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, is prevalent in chronic diseases such as COPD. Due to its limiting effects on daily activities and quality of life, treatment regimens also focus on muscle mass recovery. Research into the GSK-3 protein, which is a negative regulator of muscle mass, shows that muscle mass recovery does not require inhibition of GSK-3 activity as observed during the recovery of atrophied muscle, although complete elimination of GSK-3 enhances the early phase of muscle mass recovery. These results offer insights into the mechanisms underlying muscle mass recovery which can be used to develop drugs specifically aimed at enhancing muscle mass maintenance and recovery in people suffering from chronic diseases.