Research

Hormonal

Losartan protects against disuse atrophy in sarcopenic mice during hindlimb immobilization by upregulating the IGF-1/Akt/mTOR pathway, independent of TGF-β signaling.

For older adults facing periods of immobility (e.g., recovery from surgery), this study suggests Losartan might help preserve muscle mass by boosting protein synthesis pathways. This is a preclinical finding; human application requires clinical validation. Discuss potential benefits with a doctor, especially regarding blood pressure management.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Unexpectedly, this protective mechanism was not mediated by TGF-β signaling but was due to an increased activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.
Tyesha N. Burks et al. · Science Translational Medicine · 2011

Why this rating

Preclinical study in aged mice; robust mechanistic data but not human clinical trials.

Source

Losartan Restores Skeletal Muscle Remodeling and Protects Against Disuse Atrophy in Sarcopenia

Tyesha N. Burks et al. · Science Translational Medicine · 2011

DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.3002227

mechanism_onlyCited 253×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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