Apoptosis and skeletal muscle in aging

Apoptosis is highly considered as a possible mechanism in the aging process of skeletal muscle.Age-related apoptosis pathways in aging skeletal muscle are several, and apoptotic stimuli consideredas initiators could be of various type, such as calcium, TNF-α and oxidative stress. In the lastdecade, scientific research has focused on some topics in order to establish an appropriate lifestyleimproving the homeostasis of muscle tissue in aging. Physical exercise seems to improvecellular antioxidant defense especially when associated with a good quality of nutrition, thanks tosome nutrients, such as carotenoids and oleic acid that have antioxidant properties. A combinationof physical exercise, caloric restriction and diet seems to be best strategy to attenuate apoptoticpathways that lead to the loss of skeletal muscle in aging, with all consequence on the physicalwell-being of the elderly.