# MUSCLE DAMAGE IN AGING:  INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 1993 · $32,976

## Abstract

Unaccustomed physical exercise results in delayed-onset muscle soreness,
release of muscle enzymes into the circulation and increased myofibrillar
protein breakdown.  Eccentric exercise, in which muscles are forced to
lengthen as they develop tension, is a particularly potent inducer of these
responses.  In the initial funding period of this grant, we have
characterized eccentric exercise-induced changes in host defense factors in
humans, specifically activation of neutrophils and production of the
cytokine interleukin-1beta.  We found highly significant correlations
between these defense mechanisms and the muscular responses.  Moreover,
these parameters were significantly influenced by age and by dietary
vitamin E supplementation.  In the next 3 years, we propose to determine if
the host defense mechanisms do indeed mediate damage or recovery of muscle
by studying the responses of young and old mice to eccentric exercise after
interventions that alter in vivo levels of cytokines and neutrophils or
alter their biological activity.  The responses to be measured include
changes in muscle membrane permeability, loss of muscle strength (measured
in vitro) and the extent of muscle fiber damage (assessed histochemically).
The proposal is intended to help develop an understanding of the mechanisms
involved in muscle damage and recovery in response to exercise stress.  In
addition, these studies may lead to new therapies for injury- or age-
related deficits in muscle function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3159771
- **Project number:** 5R01AR039595-05
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1F5LNUF7W86
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSEPH G CANNON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $32,976
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-03-01 → 1993-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3159771

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3159771, MUSCLE DAMAGE IN AGING:  INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS (5R01AR039595-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3159771. Licensed CC0.

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