Abstract (eng)
Introduction: Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass and function and it is defined as a health problem. Genetic factors can influence age-related changes of skeletal muscle. According to recent research, strength training seems to be the most effective method to counteract sarcopenia.
Aims of the study: The aim is to demonstrate both the correlation between genetic variants and sarcopenia and the effects of the polymorphisms ACE I/D, ACTN R577X, MSTN K153R, CNTF 1357 G to A, the variant in IGF-I and in the IL-15 receptor-α gene on the response to a strength training, according to the current state of research.
Method: This is a hermeneutic research paper which analyses previous results of research studies. The research is based only on PubMed, an electronic database.
Results: The presence of the D allel in the ACE I/D polymorphism results in an increased muscle phenotype. As selected studies proved, women with the R allel in the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism showed positive effects on muscle strength. Women who had the AA variant in the CNTF 1357 G to A polymorphism developped more strength than those with the GG and GA genotype. As to the MSTN K153R polymorphism, only the female RR genotype seems to have negative effects on the muscle phenotype. The presence of the 192 Allel in the IGF-I polymorphism had positive effects on the development of the muscles. The PstI C to A polymorphism, which is to be found in the exon 7 of the IL-15 receptor-α gene, had positive effects on the muscle phenotype.
Conclusion: Consistent results have not been found yet, so we can only observe tendencies. Muscle loss can be counteracted, but further research is needed to obtain clear results that make effective treatment of sarcopenia possible.