Kyushu University Finds LASSS Doubles HGF Activity, Boosting Muscle Repair Against Age-Linked Damage
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 6
Kyushu University Finds LASSS Doubles HGF Activity, Boosting Muscle Repair Against Age-Linked Damage
3 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 6
Summary
LASSS made hepatocyte growth factor about 2 times more effective at binding the c-met receptor after researchers raised the compound’s concentration, while also shielding the protein from age-related nitration.
Kyushu University’s team targeted HGF because aging does not necessarily reduce the protein’s presence; it chemically alters it, weakening a key signal that activates muscle repair.
Two trisulfide antioxidants—GSSSG and LASSS—both suppressed nitration at 2 vulnerable sites on HGF, but only LASSS restored and enhanced the protein’s functional link to muscle-repair stem cells.
Mouse models of muscle atrophy showed LASSS also reduced nitration caused by muscle disuse, supporting the idea that it may chemically reinforce HGF beyond simple antioxidant action.
The findings, published in Scientific Reports, still need validation in human muscle and older mice, but point to possible treatments for sarcopenia, frailty and illness-related muscle wasting.