Researchers at Kyushu University have identified a sulfur-based compound that enhances a protein key to skeletal muscle repair. The findings, published July 24, 2026, suggest potential new approaches to counter age-related muscle decline.
The team, led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi, focused on hepatocyte growth factor, or HGF, which activates satellite cells to rebuild damaged muscle fibers. Aging causes nitration at specific sites on HGF, blocking its ability to bind to c-Met receptors.
Tests showed that lipoic acid trisulfide, or LASSS, more than doubled HGF's receptor binding when mixed at higher concentrations. It also increased resistance to nitration, an effect not seen with glutathione trisulfide.
"This exceeded our expectations," Tatsumi said. "We never expected that simply mixing HGF with LASSS would produce such a striking effect."
In mice with muscle atrophy, LASSS treatment lowered nitration levels compared with controls. Further studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness in aging models.
