Elucidating the potential mechanism and therapeutic targets of chronic stress-induced muscle atrophy.

Skeletal muscle atrophy, while a long-standing health issue, is becoming more pressing concern in light of changing socioeconomic trends and current healthcare challenges. This shift reflects growing awareness of its widespread prevalence and significant impact on individual health. Demographic shifts like aging populations with rising sarcopenia rates, chronic diseases and sedentary lifestyles are major contributors. Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by increased protein breakdown and decreased protein anabolism. The incidence of skeletal muscle atrophy has increased recently. Chronic psychological or physiological stress is one of the primary lifestyle factor that causes muscle atrophy. Recent years have seen significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of chronic stress and skeletal muscle atrophy. However, the specific mechanism linking chronic stress to muscle atrophy is not much explored. Literature suggests that chronic stress triggers inflammation, elevated cortisol levels, and fibrosis, causing elevated proteolysis and diminished protein synthesis, eventually leading to skeletal muscle atrophy. This review explores potential mechanisms underlying chronic stress-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Moreover, considering severe economic and social consequences of skeletal muscle atrophy, it is critical to have effective prevention and treatment strategies, which are currently limited. Additionally, this review explores several safe and effective treatment options, for management of stress-induced muscle atrophy.