New collaboration launched to improve muscle health in people with obesity

Southampton researchers are increasing understanding of muscle loss found in people living with obesity in older age.

They are partnering on a new project with the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.

Previous Southampton research suggests obesity in later life may cause our muscles to age faster. It found that genes that help muscles use energy effectively were less active in people living with obesity.

The new collaboration, partnered through Boehringer Ingelheim’s open innovation platform opnMe, will identify the molecular pathways behind this decline. This could help unlock new treatments.

The project is being driven by researchers from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and University of Southampton.

Age-related muscle loss and obesity

People can experience a loss of muscle mass and function in later life. This is called sarcopenia. As it progresses, people may become frail, lose their independence, and develop other health conditions.

The number of older people living with obesity has risen dramatically in recent years. It has reached an unprecedented level.

Obesity can lead to widespread changes in the muscle. This puts people at risk of so-called “sarcopenic obesity”.

Sarcopenic obesity increases the negative effects of both sarcopenia and obesity. It can lead to a higher rate of decline in health and reduced quality of life.

Around 2.7 million people in the UK are living with sarcopenia. This number is expected to rise as the number of older people increases, making it a major health problem. There are currently no effective treatments.

Building on previous research

There is limited knowledge of the molecular pathways behind the poor health of people with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity.

In the new collaboration, the research team will measure the expression of genes in individual cells. These will be taken from all the different cell types that make up muscle tissue.

They will compare findings between older people with sarcopenic obesity, sarcopenia, and obesity with healthy individuals.

This information will enable them to determine pathways and mechanisms underpinning the decline in muscle function.

Opening new research avenues

The NIHR Southampton BRC is pioneering new approaches to prevent weakening of muscles. This is part of its goal to help people stay healthy for longer.

Professor Keith Godfrey from the University of Southampton is the lead researcher in the new collaboration. He leads the NIHR Southampton BRC’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme.

He said: "Sarcopenic obesity is becoming a major challenge for individuals and healthcare systems. Low muscle mass and function affects so many older people. It can be extremely debilitating, especially in those living with obesity.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with a research-driven company dedicated to the discovery, development, and manufacture of innovative health care products. Together, we are exploring new research avenues to address the unmet need for effective treatments.”

Dr Emma Garratt is a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. She will lead the intricate laboratory work that underpins the research.

Dr Garratt said: “This novel study will use advanced sequencing techniques to determine molecular changes. Identifying the differences in activity of key pathways within muscle cells will help us to develop targeted interventions. This could help people to remain active and healthy in later life.”

Boehringer Ingelheim is an organisation with a focus on the research and development of treatments for cardiovascular, renal and metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity and liver diseases.