Endocrinology and Metabolism

Original Articles

Mineral, bone & muscle
Muscle Loss Driven by Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Suppression via β-Adrenergic Activation in High-Normal Catecholamine Status: Jieun Lee, Ju Yeon Kwak, Ho Yeop Lee, Ji Sun Moon, Hyo Ju Jang, Ha Thi Nga, Thi Linh Nguyen, Alfin Mohammad Abdillah, Junglyun Kim, Sihwan Kim, Yong Ryoul Yang, Jeong Eun Lee, Hyon-Seung Yi; Endocrinol Metab. 2026;41(2):319-332. Published online April 6, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2025.2527

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
Catecholamines play a crucial role in muscle biogenesis, but their persistent elevation is linked to muscle wasting, which is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between catecholamine levels and age-related muscle loss.
Methods
This retrospective study evaluated the plasma levels of two catecholamines, metanephrine and normetanephrine, and the clinical characteristics of 830 patients with adrenal incidentaloma on computed tomography (CT). Cross-sectional CT data at the L3 lumbar vertebrae were used to measure muscle areas. In vitro studies on C2C12 myotubes were conducted to examine β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathways and their role in myogenesis.
Results
Men had significantly higher mean metanephrine levels of 0.17 nmol/L and normetanephrine levels of 0.63 nmol/L than women (P<0.05). Total abdominal muscle area was negatively correlated with catecholamine levels in both men and women, with the strongest negative correlation between normetanephrine levels and total abdominal muscle area in men (r=–0.31, P<0.001). Similarly, the strongest negative correlation between visceral fat area and metanephrine was observed in men (r=–0.25, P=0.004). Clenbuterol, a β-adrenergic receptor agonist, inhibited myogenesis, including myotube formation by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) suppression in C2C12 myoblasts. Conversely, β-blockers increased myogenesis via increasing ERK phosphorylation in C2C12 cells. These findings suggest that β-adrenergic modulation influences skeletal muscle differentiation, with ERK phosphorylation.
Conclusion
Catecholamine levels are associated with age, sex, muscle mass, and fat mass. Monitoring catecholamine levels, particularly in older men and in individuals with reduced muscle mass, may help manage age-related muscle loss and lead to individualized treatment strategies.

Miscellaneous
Differences in Type 2 Fiber Composition in the Vastus Lateralis and Gluteus Maximus of Patients with Hip Fractures: Jingwen Tian, Minchul Song, Kyu Jeong Cho, Ho Yeop Lee, Sang Hyeon Ju, Jung Ryul Lim, Ha Thi Nga, Thi Linh Nguyen, Ji Sun Moon, Hyo Ju Jang, Jung-Mo Hwang, Hyon-Seung Yi; Endocrinol Metab. 2024;39(3):521-530. Published online June 11, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2024.1935

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2 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background
Aging leads to sarcopenia, which is characterized by reduced muscle mass and strength. Many factors, including altered muscle protein turnover, diminished neuromuscular function, hormonal changes, systemic inflammation, and the structure and composition of muscle fibers, play a crucial role in age-related muscle decline. This study explored differences in muscle fiber types contributing to overall muscle function decline in aging, focusing on individuals with hip fractures from falls.
Methods
A pilot study at Chungnam National University Hospital collected muscle biopsies from hip fracture patients aged 20 to 80 undergoing surgical treatment. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus were obtained during hip arthroplasty or internal fixation. Handgrip strength, calf and thigh circumference, and bone mineral density were evaluated in individuals with hip fractures from falls. We analyzed the relationships between each clinical characteristic and muscle fiber type.
Results
In total, 26 participants (mean age 67.9 years, 69.2% male) were included in this study. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.8%, and that of femoral and lumbar osteoporosis was 19.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Vastus lateralis analysis revealed an age-related decrease in type IIx fibers, a higher proportion of type IIa fibers in women, and an association between handgrip strength and type IIx fibers in men. The gluteus maximus showed no significant correlations with clinical parameters.
Conclusion
This study identified complex associations between age, sex, handgrip strength, and muscle fiber composition in hip fracture patients, offering insights crucial for targeted interventions combating age-related muscle decline and improving musculoskeletal health.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Muscle Loss Driven by Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Suppression via β-Adrenergic Activation in High-Normal Catecholamine Status
Jieun Lee, Ju Yeon Kwak, Ho Yeop Lee, Ji Sun Moon, Hyo Ju Jang, Ha Thi Nga, Thi Linh Nguyen, Alfin Mohammad Abdillah, Junglyun Kim, Sihwan Kim, Yong Ryoul Yang, Jeong Eun Lee, Hyon-Seung Yi
Endocrinology and Metabolism.2026; 41(2): 319. CrossRef
Tourniquet Use During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Associated With Postoperative Quadriceps Atrophy and Pain but No Negative Effects in the Long Term: A Systematic Review
Caleb V. Hayes, Saad M. Ibrahim, Anna E. Crawford, James R. Jones, Mathew D. Hargreaves, Clay A. Rahaman, Eugene W. Brabston, Thomas B. Evely, Aaron J. Casp, Kevin E. Wilk, Amit M. Momaya
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Volume and quality of the gluteal muscles are associated with early physical function after total hip arthroplasty
Makoto Iwasa, Keisuke Uemura, Mazen Soufi, Yoshito Otake, Tomofumi Kinoshita, Tatsuhiko Kutsuna, Kazuma Takashima, Hidetoshi Hamada, Yoshinobu Sato, Nobuhiko Sugano, Seiji Okada, Masaki Takao
International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery.2025; 20(4): 703. CrossRef

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