Glutaminase inhibition in senescent muscle cells and progeroid mice
In this abstract, senescent skeletal muscle myoblasts showed higher glutaminase activity and urea buildup; inhibiting glutaminase with CB-839 improved mitochondrial measures in cells and in progeroid mice, which also showed better muscle structure and strength. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Senescent skeletal muscle myoblasts showed elevated glutaminase (GLS1) activity and expression, mediated by p38 MAPK signaling and linked to intracellular urea accumulation that impairs mitochondrial function. [1]
Inhibiting GLS1 with CB-839 reduced urea, restored electron transport chain complex expression and improved mitochondrial function in the cell experiments. [1]
In progeroid mice, CB-839 upregulated electron transport chain complexes and enhanced skeletal muscle respiratory capacity, with improved structural integrity and muscle strength. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a preclinical study (cell experiments and progeroid mice).
- Population / context
- Senescent skeletal muscle myoblasts in cell experiments and progeroid mice.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Senescent myoblasts show higher glutaminase and urea
The abstract describes senescent skeletal muscle myoblasts with elevated activity and expression of the enzyme glutaminase (GLS1). This is reported as mediated by p38 MAPK signaling and as leading to intracellular urea accumulation that impairs mitochondrial function. These are cell-level observations in myoblasts, not measurements in whole human muscle.
Supporting source [1]
CB-839 effects in cells and progeroid mice
Pharmacological inhibition of GLS1 with CB-839 reduced urea levels, restored expression of electron transport chain complexes and improved mitochondrial function in the cell work. In progeroid mice, CB-839 administration similarly upregulated these complexes and enhanced mitochondrial respiratory capacity in skeletal muscle, with improved structural integrity and enhanced muscle strength. The mouse results are described as consistent with the in vitro findings; they are not evidence of human lifespan or muscle benefits.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of the glutaminase findings
This explainer is based on the abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report sample sizes, follow-up duration, study design details or statistical uncertainty. It calls GLS1 inhibition a promising therapeutic strategy, which is a suggestion for future research, not a proven treatment for age-related muscle decline.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Sample sizes, follow-up, design details and statistical uncertainty are not reported. Cell and progeroid-mouse findings do not establish human benefits.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Senthil Kumar HV, Choudhury D, Lei P, Mehrotra P, Shahini S, Swedick S, Toftegaard J, Andreadis ST. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026