The roles of sex hormones in the pathophysiology of age-related sarcopenia and frailty

BackgroundSarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by a progressive and systemic decline in skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength. The incidence of sarcopenia contains sex-specific aspects, indicating the contribution of sex hormones to its pathophysiology. This review focuses on changing trends in sarcopenia, discusses alterations in definitions and diagnostic criteria, and emphasizes the association between sarcopenia and sex hormones.MethodsA literature search was performed on PubMed for related articles published between 1997 and December 2023 using appropriate keywords.Main Findings (Results)Advances in research have emphasized the significance of muscle quality and strength over muscle mass, resulting in new diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Androgens demonstrated anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and played a significant role in the pathophysiology of sarcopenia. In clinical settings, androgen replacement therapy has exhibited certain positive outcomes for treating sarcopenia, despite concerns about potential side effects. Conversely, estrogen is involved in skeletal muscle maintenance, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, results regarding the clinical application of estrogen replacement therapy for treating sarcopenia remained inconsistent.ConclusionThe elucidation of molecular mechanisms that involve sex hormones is eagerly awaited for novel therapeutic interventions for sarcopenia.