Can Hong Kong scientists fight age-related muscle loss with help of HIV drug?
CUHK researchers say drug Maraviroc tested on mice suffering from sarcopenia, with rodents seeing significant improvements in muscle mass
Hong Kong scientists have identified an HIV drug that could be used to treat a common condition behind age-related muscle loss, with researchers hoping to start clinical trials next year.
The study found that mice saw significant improvements in their muscle mass, grip strength and running endurance after receiving high doses of the drug for three months.
Dr Michael Ong Tim-yun, a clinical assistant professor at CUHK’s orthopaedics and traumatology department, said one in seven people aged 65 and above in Hong Kong suffered from sarcopenia, with the figure rising to 50 per cent of residents over the age of 80.
“This figure might be an underestimation as many patients who actually have symptoms of sarcopenia are not aware of it,” Ong said.
Ong, who is part of the research team, said that sarcopenia could be diagnosed by measuring a person’s muscle mass, handgrip strength and walking speed.
The only treatments currently available are exercise and protein supplementation, with no drugs used to treat the condition at this point.