HDAC11 Protein Deficiency Enhances Muscle Health and Regeneration in Aging

A recent groundbreaking study has identified the enzyme HDAC11 as a significant contributor to age-related muscle deterioration. Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), part of the Badalona Neuromuscular Research Group (GRENBA), have demonstrated that deficiency of HDAC11 in aging mouse models can lead to a remarkable reduction in muscle loss, improved muscle regeneration after injury, and enhanced overall muscle function.

Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive decline of muscle mass and strength, severely impacts the quality of life among the elderly population. The study showed that removing HDAC11 helps preserve muscle tissue by decreasing muscle atrophy and maintaining the reservoir of muscle stem cells. Additionally, it reduces damage to neuromuscular junctions and promotes the regeneration process essential for muscle repair.

Metabolically, muscles lacking HDAC11 display improved fatty acid oxidation and possess a healthier lipid profile, which further supports muscle health. Dr. Mònica Suelves, the principal investigator, emphasizes the importance of these findings in the context of the aging global population, projected to have nearly 25% over 65 years old by 2050, impacting social and economic structures.

Current treatments to combat sarcopenia are limited, and this research paves the way for new therapeutic strategies. The study suggests that targeting HDAC11 with specific inhibitors could slow down muscle decline associated with aging, thereby enhancing quality of life for older adults.

This discovery positions HDAC11 as a potential 'gerogene'—a gene that promotes aging—and highlights its significance as a target for interventions aiming to foster healthier aging. The availability of compounds that selectively inhibit HDAC11 adds practical prospects for developing anti-sarcopenia therapies.

For more detailed insights, the study "HDAC11 deficiency regulates age-related muscle decline and sarcopenia" is published in GeroScience (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-hdac11-protein-deficiency-muscle-function.html