# MECHANISM OF DISUSE ATROPHY IN SKELETAL MUSCLE

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE · 1990 · $160,079

## Abstract

The overall goal of this project is to explore the use of beta2-
receptor agonists to retard the loss of skeletal muscle mass and
function resulting from disuse and denervation in vivo.  These
studies are an outgrowth of our work on the control of muscle
growth by calcium, cAMP and passive tension since the beta-receptor
may act by altering calcium and cAMP pools.  Recently, we found
that clenbuterol, a selective beta2 receptor agonist, can markedly
retard atrophy of the rat soleus and other slow muscles resulting
from denervation.  We will examine, in detail, the ability of
clenbuterol to retard disuse atrophy produced by suspension of the
rat hind limb s well as denervation and compare such effects to
those produced by clenbuterol in growing and non-growing muscles.
Slow and fast muscles will be examined with respect to fiber type
area, twitch and tetanus tension, fatigability and myosin isoforms.
In addition, changes in protein synthesis, proteolysis, releasible
myofilaments and cAMP will be measured in atrophying muscles after
in vivo treatment with beta agonists to give some insight on the
responsible cellular mechanisms involved.  Optimization of beta2-
agonist treatment of suspension and denervation atrophy may lead
to a useful therapeutic modality for treatment of muscle atrophy
resulting from prolonged bed rest, immobilization and certain
neuromuscular diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157968
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037145-03
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** WK63UJ11C2H7
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph Etlinger
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $160,079
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-03-01 → 1993-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157968, MECHANISM OF DISUSE ATROPHY IN SKELETAL MUSCLE (5R01AR037145-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157968. Licensed CC0.

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