ALS Skeletal Muscle: Victim or Culprit.

Aside its function in locomotion, posture maintenance and respiration, the human skeletal muscle (hSKM) is reported to be a critical metabolic regulator [1]. The hSKM is acknowledged as the primary site of glucose metabolism and storage [1]. Additionally, it serves as a reservoir for amino acids [1,2]. In recently times, the hSKM has also been described as an endocrine organ. It is known to secrete a plethora of myokines that systemically affect other organs including the liver, pancreas, and immune system among others [3,4]. Proper function of the hSKM is therefore critical for maintaining whole body metabolic homeostasis. As such, perturbations in skeletal muscle resulting in metabolic and functional changes has deleterious consequences on the overall health of an organism. Unsurprisingly, muscle health decline is associated with poor disease prognosis in numerous conditions [2]. Thus, paying attention to muscle health may be pertinent to improving disease outcomes and overall wellbeing of an organism.