Myonectin protects against skeletal muscle dysfunction in male mice through activation of AMPK/PGC1α pathway

To maintain and restore skeletal muscle mass and function is essential for healthy aging. We have found that myonectin acts as a cardioprotective myokine. Here, we investigate the effect of myonectin on skeletal muscle atrophy in various male mouse models of muscle dysfunction. Disruption of myonectin exacerbates skeletal muscle atrophy in age-associated, sciatic denervation-induced or dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy models. Myonectin deficiency also contributes to exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction and reduces expression of mitochondrial biogenesis-associated genes including PGC1α in denervated muscle. Myonectin supplementation attenuates denervation-induced muscle atrophy via activation of AMPK. Myonectin also reverses DEX-induced atrophy of cultured myotubes through the AMPK/PGC1α signaling. Furthermore, myonectin treatment suppresses muscle atrophy in senescence-accelerated mouse prone (SAMP) 8 mouse model of accelerated aging or mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These data indicate that myonectin can ameliorate skeletal muscle dysfunction through AMPK/PGC1α-dependent mechanisms, suggesting that myonectin could represent a therapeutic target of muscle atrophy. Here the authors show that myonectin functions as a protective factor against age-associated, disuse-induced or steroid-induced muscle atrophy, suggesting that myonectin represents a therapeutic target for preventing skeletal muscle dysfunction.