Klotho: An Emerging Factor With Ergogenic Potential.
Eliott Arroyo, Ashley D Troutman, Ranjani N Moorthi and 3 others
PMID 36188832WHAT IT FOUND
This review links low Klotho protein levels to muscle weakness and poor physical function in aging and kidney disease.
It suggests exercise may raise Klotho levels, but human evidence is observational. No therapy is proven to improve patient outcomes yet.
Key findings
01Older adults and patients with chronic kidney disease often have low Klotho levels, which are associated with reduced muscle strength and physical function.
02Aerobic and resistance exercise training have been shown to increase circulating Klotho levels in several studies, though the exact training dose required is unclear.
03Animal studies show that Klotho deficiency leads to muscle wasting and impaired regeneration, while restoring Klotho improves muscle strength and endurance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review, not a systematic review or meta-analysis, so the selection of studies may be subject to author bias. Most evidence for Klotho's direct effect on muscle function comes from animal models, which may not translate to human clinical outcomes. Human studies are primarily observational, showing associations between Klotho levels and function but not proving that raising Klotho levels causes improved function. The effects of exercise on Klotho levels are inconsistent across studies, with unclear dose-response relationships. There are currently no approved therapies to target Klotho in humans, so clinical application is speculative.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The review was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the association between low Klotho levels and poor physical function as evidence that Klotho supplements or therapies will improve patient outcomes. No such treatments are approved or proven in humans. Additionally, do not assume that any form of exercise will significantly raise Klotho levels, as the research on optimal exercise types and intensities is mixed and inconclusive.