Drawing on expertise from both the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals Birmingham, they applied their knowledge of Cushing’s syndrome to the new problem (sarcopenia).
Cushing’s is hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol. Patients suffer from the syndrome see marked changes in their body composition.
The effects can be devastating for patients who can develop features such as muscle wasting and weakness, weight gain, thinning of the bones, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Dr Hassan-Smith said: ‘Looking at this particular enzyme seemed like an intriguing way forward.
‘We knew how it works in relation to Cushing’s Syndrome, which is characterised by similar symptoms, and thought it would be worthwhile applying what we knew to the ageing population.’
Currently there are no treatments for sarcopenia, the team explained.
But pharmaceutical companies are developing and testing ways to block or switch off the enzyme, with a focus…
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