Chinese Scientists Develop a Way to Build Muscle Without Exercise

Chinese scientists have developed an innovative technique based on the subcutaneous implantation of specialized muscle cells capable of independently forming functional tissue. These “self-training” grafts can reproduce biological processes normally associated with physical exercise, the South China Morning Post reports.

After muscle cells are injected under the skin, they organize themselves into functional muscle grafts. In experiments involving mice, the researchers observed not only an increase in overall muscle mass but also improvements in bone density, endurance, liver function, and cognitive performance.

These so-called myotransplants could potentially benefit patients with age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. In the future, the technology could also become relevant for people seeking to increase muscle mass without having to go to the gym.

The authors of the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Aging, emphasized that the safety and pharmacological profile of autologous myotransplants still need to be confirmed in clinical trials. However, they said the preclinical results in animals represent an important first step.

According to Professor Ng Shih-Chang, who leads the research team at the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the approach could, in a sense, isolate the most beneficial aspects of physical exercise while avoiding some of its negative effects, such as stress on the heart and joints.

The researchers also found that the myotransplants could function as “living biofactories,” producing targeted therapeutic proteins inside the body, including GLP-1, a hormone used in the treatment of diabetes and for weight management.

Despite the promising findings, the technique remains at the preclinical stage. The results observed in mice cannot yet be assumed to apply to humans, and further research will be needed to determine whether the approach is safe and effective in clinical settings.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter