Sarcopenia in the Aging Process: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches
Larissa Parreira Araújo, Ana Clara Figueiredo Godoy, Fernanda Fortes Frota, Caroline Barbalho Lamas, Karina Quesada, Cláudia Rucco Penteado Detregiachi, Adriano Cressoni Araújo, María Angélica Miglino, Élen Landgraf Guiguer, Rafael Santos de Argollo Haber, Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, Virgínia Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Vitor Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Sandra Maria Barbalho
Abstract
In the face of population aging, sarcopenia has emerged as a significant muscle disorder characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to sarcopenia and help explain its association with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite extensive research, there remains a need to integrate current knowledge on interventions that target these interconnected mechanisms. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the effects of resistance exercise, nutritional supplementation (high-protein intake, leucine, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids), and probiotic use on muscle function and inflammatory status in older adults with sarcopenia. Literature was critically analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of multicomponent strategies. The reviewed studies consistently report that combining resistance training with anti-inflammatory nutrition and targeted supplementation improves muscle strength, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, and supports mitochondrial function. These findings suggest that an integrated, multicomponent approach represents a promising strategy for attenuating the progression of sarcopenia and reducing its associated comorbidities.