Nanotechnology empowering biomedical therapy: new treatment perspectives for sarcopenia and degenerative muscle atrophy

Abstract

Sarcopenia and muscle atrophy are major health challenges associated with aging and various pathologies, characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function. These conditions severely diminish patient quality of life and impose a significant healthcare burden. Traditional interventions, such as exercise therapy and nutritional supplementation, have demonstrated limited efficacy, creating an urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. In recent years, the application of nanotechnology in biomedicine has provided novel therapeutics for these debilitating conditions. This article reviews the latest advancements in nanotechnology for the treatment of sarcopenia and muscle atrophy, with a focus on the applications of nanocarrier drug delivery systems (such as exosomes and lipid nanoparticles), nanoimmunomodulators, wearable nanobiosensors, nano-tissue-engineered muscles, and gene editing tools based on nanotechnology (such as CRISPR-Cas9). These technologies demonstrate significant clinical potential by improving drug targeting, enhancing bioavailability, promoting muscle regeneration, and enabling real-time monitoring of disease progression. For instance, drug delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated approximately 30% higher bioavailability compared to traditional delivery systems in murine models, while the use of exosomes has also effectively promoted the repair and regeneration of muscle tissue in preclinical trials. However, the clinical translation of nanotechnology still faces several challenges. These include uncertainties regarding nanoparticle toxicity, immunogenicity, and clearance mechanisms, issues with the scalability and reproducibility of nanocarrier manufacturing, and ethical and regulatory concerns associated with the long-term use of gene editing and nanobiosensors. Consequently, future research should not only focus on further optimizing nanomaterial design and validating therapeutic efficacy but also address aspects such as biocompatibility, safety, ethical review, and regulatory policies. This comprehensive approach is essential to facilitate the clinical translation of nanotechnology for treating muscle degenerative diseases and to catalyze the development of personalized medicine.