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Follistatin Protein Enhances Satellite Cell Counts in Reinnervated Muscle
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this rat study using 72 Sprague-Dawley rats, researchers examined the effect of local recombinant Follistatin (FST, isoform FS-288) protein delivered via subcutaneous osmotic pump on muscle recovery after temporary (3 or 6 months) denervation or sham denervation followed by reinnervation, measuring muscle force, histomorphology, and FST quantification. The abstract reports FST treatment was associated with smaller muscles after 3 months of denervation (p = 0.019) and reduced force after 3 months of sham denervation (p < 0.001), while after 6 months of denervation FST trended toward increased force output (p = 0.066). FST increased satellite cell counts after denervation (p < 0.001) but reduced satellite cell counts after sham denervation (p = 0.037).
Abstract
Background Muscle recovery following peripheral nerve repair is sup-optimal. Follistatin (FST), a potent muscle stimulant, enhances muscle size and satellite cell counts following reinnervation when administered as recombinant FST DNA via viral vectors. Local administration of recombinant FST protein, if effective, would be more clinically translatable but has yet to be investigated following muscle reinnervation. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the effect of direct delivery of recombinant FST protein on muscle recovery following muscle reinnervation. Materials and Methods In total, 72 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent temporary (3 or 6 months) denervation or sham denervation. After reinnervation, rats received FST protein (isoform FS-288) or sham treatment via a subcutaneous osmotic pump delivery system. Outcome measures included muscle force, muscle histomorphology, and FST protein quantification. Results Follistatin treatment resulted in smaller muscles after 3 months denervation ( p = 0.019) and reduced force after 3 months sham denervation ( p < 0.001). Conversely, after 6 months of denervation, FST treatment trended toward increased force output ( p = 0.066). Follistatin increased satellite cell counts after denervation ( p < 0.001) but reduced satellite cell counts after sham denervation ( p = 0.037). Conclusion Follistatin had mixed effects on muscle weight and force. Direct FST protein delivery enhanced satellite cell counts following reinnervation. The positive effect on the satellite cell population is intriguing and warrants further investigation.
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