Pharmacological Advances in Muscle Wasting Disorders
Pharmacological interventions are evolving rapidly in the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. Myostatin inhibitors target a key negative regulator of muscle growth, promoting hypertrophy. Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) stimulate anabolic pathways in skeletal muscle without significant adverse effects on other organs.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and metabolic modulators reduce catabolic signaling in chronic illnesses. Hormonal therapies, including growth hormone or testosterone analogs, are sometimes used to restore anabolic balance, particularly in elderly patients or those with hypogonadism.
Emerging therapies focus on combining pharmacology with exercise and nutrition for synergistic effects, improving muscle mass, strength, and physical function.