title: Klotho, FGF21 and FGF23: Novel Pathways to Musculoskeletal Health?
abstract: Bone mineral density, muscle mass and physical function reach their peak between the second and fourth decade of life and then decline steadily with aging. The crucial question is: what factors contribute to or modulate this decline? The aim of this mini-review is to propose a theoretical framework for the potential role of emerging biomarkers such as klotho, fibroblast growth factors (FGF)21 and FGF23 on musculoskeletal health, with a particular focus on decline in muscle mass and function, and calls for future research to examine this proposed link. The identification of new physiological mechanisms underlying these declines may open a potentially important avenue for the development of novel intervention strategies aimed at preventing or reducing their potentially detrimental consequences.
authors.affiliation: Benedetta Bartali, PhD, New England Research Institutes, 9 Galen Street Watertown, MA 02472 USA, Phone: +1(617) 972-3350, FAX: +1 (617) 673-9514, email: bbartali@neriscience.com.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bartali
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Semba
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Araujo