AAApeptides
New member
Follistatin is being studied for its role in regulation of muscle growth in mice, as an antagonist to*myostatin*(also known as GDF-8, a TGF superfamily member) which*inhibitsexcessive muscle growth. Lee & McPherron demonstrated that inhibition of GDF-8, either by genetic elimination (knockout mice) or by increasing the amount of follistatin, resulted in greatly increased muscle mass.[3][4]*In 2009, research with*macaque*monkeys demonstrated that regulating follistatin viagene therapy*also resulted in muscle growth and increases in strength. This research paves the way for human*clinical trials, which are hoped to begin in the summer of 2010 onInclusion body myositis.[5]
A study has also shown that increased levels of follistatin, by leading to increased muscle mass of certain core muscular groups, can increase life expectancy in cases of*spinal muscular atrophy*(SMA) in animal models.[6]
It is also being investigated for its involvement in*polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), though there is debate as to its direct role in this infertility disease.
A study has also shown that increased levels of follistatin, by leading to increased muscle mass of certain core muscular groups, can increase life expectancy in cases of*spinal muscular atrophy*(SMA) in animal models.[6]
It is also being investigated for its involvement in*polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), though there is debate as to its direct role in this infertility disease.