What does GDF-8 do?

Description

GDF-8 is a propeptide that is designed to inhibit naturally occurring myostatin. Myostatin is an important protein that works to prevent the growth and development of muscle cells . Animals such as the Belgian blue bull produce less myostatin than other breeds of cow and this is responsible for the breeds extremely lean, hyper-sculpted, ultra-muscular physique due to an increased number of muscle fibres . GDF-8 works by binding myostatin so that it cannot be activated, which prevents it from binding to its own receptors .These receptors normally function to switch off muscle growth when myostatin is bound, but because the binding is blocked by GDF-8 then muscle growth can continue unrestricted. It has been shown that the lack of myostatin gives rise to significant increases in muscle mass in both humans and animals. Also in bone, the lack of myostatin has been shown to increase bone mineral density. Animal studies using GDF-8 showed increases in muscle and bone repair in a model of tissue injury, suggesting that the peptide can be used to repair damaged muscle and bone . The peptide has also been investigated for its potential in treating the muscle wasting disorder Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. The study showed that the peptide was a potential pharmacological strategy for treatment of diseases associated with muscle wasting and further studies are ongoing . Finally, a recent study in mice showed a remarkable level of muscle growth after blocking myostatin signalling by overexpressing the myostatin propeptide . The same study also proved that muscle growth was induced by the peptide and that the muscle was capable of generating normal levels of force.

How does it work?

Through the blocking of active myostatin made by a recombinant, myostatin propeptide has been able to improve muscle and bone regeneration. Myostatin inhibitors improve wound repair in cases of deep penetrant injuries on muscles and bones, comparable to the benefits of HGH (Human growth hormone)

Results and benefits

One of the consequences of aging in humans is the loss of motor skills, which are related to an increase in the accident rate caused mostly by falls. This vulnerability in humans results in the increase of medical costs to treat fractures. One of the drawbacks of the healing process in bones and muscles in aging is the required time to accomplish the complete healing. The use of the recombinant myostatin propeptide has a very important role in the acceleration of this long process, which can primarily benefit older people and athletes, not to mention ordinary people.

Some studies show that the lack of myostatin gives rise to impressive results in the increase of muscle mass both in humans and in animals. In bones specifically, the lack of myostatin increases its mineral density, resulting in an increase of the calcium levels of the organism. Calcium is stored in bones and it is necessary for the correct functionality of the heart, muscles, and nerves as well as for blood clotting.

While using this recombinant myostatin propeptide, it was found that collagen-rich fibrous tissue was plentiful in the injured area of the individual’s treated muscle, which has as a result the improvement of the regenerative capacity of the body.

Image analysis of studies show that propeptide treatment increases significantly the fraction of muscle staining while decreases the fraction of fibrous tissue in the injury site. Due to the passage of time, muscles tend to the loss of its volume and strength, this lost volume is occupied by fibrous tissue; the capacity of GDF-8 to improve muscular regeneration confirms its efficacy on muscular injuries.

Myostatin deficiency increases the ostegenic potential (formation of bone tissue) of bone marrow. There have been some studies related to the healing properties of stem cells originated in the bone marrow that has an auto regeneration capacity. This benefit can be promoted by blocking Myostatin on humans.

Myostatin inhibitors are used on muscular dystrophy treatment in the attempt to accomplish the muscle regeneration. Myostatin propeptide enhances muscle regeneration, increases myofiber hypertrophy (an increase in size of skeletal muscle through a growth in size of its component cells) and decreases fibrosis (formation of excess fibrous connective tissue, which can obliterate the function of the affected limb) in muscle healing.