Advances in Skeletal Muscle Function and Metabolism

Dear Colleagues,

In addition to its obvious role in generating mechanical force to support body posture and daily movement, skeletal muscle has been shown to be important for regulating whole-body metabolism. Indeed, since skeletal muscle contributes to ~40% of body mass, handles ~80% of insulin-mediated glucose disposal and is responsible for ~25% of the resting energy expenditure, it seems evident that any detrimental change in these muscle parameters may contribute to the pathology of various metabolic disorders. In addition, skeletal muscle represents one of the body’s most dynamic metabolic organs and may increase energy turnover by more than 100-fold in response to exercise. Particularly, skeletal muscle encompasses a wide array of intracellular metabolic signaling pathways that modify muscle function and metabolism. These pathways are regulated by a range of factors including exercise, nutrients, Ca²⁺, ATP-turnover, hypoxia, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and hormones. Recent years of research have also pinpointed skeletal muscle as a major endocrine organ releasing myokines that act to modulate function and metabolism in other organs. 

In this Special Issue, we look forward to receiving original research and reviews that highlight recent advances in our understanding of skeletal muscle function and metabolism both from physiological and pathophysiological perspectives and how these breakthroughs are affected by interventions such as exercise and pharmacotherapies.

Dr. Rasmus Kjøbsted
Guest Editor

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