Researchers at Kyushu University have identified a molecule that may improve the muscle repair process in aging individuals. The study, published on July 24, 2026, in Scientific Reports, focuses on hepatocyte growth factor, or HGF, a protein that initiates skeletal muscle repair by signaling satellite cells, which are the stem cells responsible for maintaining and rebuilding damaged muscle tissue.
As people age, the body’s ability to repair muscle deteriorates through multiple mechanisms. Previous research from the team demonstrated that HGF undergoes a chemical modification called nitration, in which a nitro group attaches to specific sites on the protein. This chemical alteration prevents HGF from properly connecting to its receptor on satellite cells, effectively disabling the repair signal. The researchers describe this as similar to a key becoming rusted and no longer fitting its lock. This loss of function may contribute to muscle weakness and reduced regenerative capacity in older adults.
To address this problem, the team tested two sulfur-containing compounds with antioxidant properties: glutathione trisulfide and lipoic acid trisulfide, known as LASSS. Initial experiments showed both compounds reduced nitration at key sites on HGF, though neither fully restored the protein’s receptor-binding capacity. However, when the concentration ratio was adjusted, LASSS produced a striking result: it more than doubled HGF’s ability to bind to its target receptor while also protecting the protein from nitration damage. This effect did not occur with the other compound tested.
The researchers suggest LASSS may work by inducing a beneficial structural change in HGF rather than simply acting as an antioxidant. Testing in mice with muscle atrophy confirmed that LASSS treatment reduced nitration levels in living tissue, though the other compound showed no measurable effect. The findings indicate a potential strategy for supporting muscle repair during aging and periods of inactivity, though additional studies in aging animals are needed to establish safety and effectiveness before potential human applications.
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