Lactate metabolism–related differentially expressed genes reveal biological mechanisms underlying sarcopenia

Abstract

Abstract Sarcopenia (SARC), a progressive degenerative disorder associated with aging, is characterized by a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength and imposes major burdens on individuals and society. Current diagnostic and therapeutic methods for SARC remain limited, highlighting the urgent need for novel biomarkers. The present research was designed to investigate the role of lactate metabolism–related differentially expressed genes (LMRDEGs) in SARC, identify key genes and pathways, and develop a diagnostic model for the disease. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to determine signaling pathways associated with the DEGs. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to quantify the strength of linear relationships between coding genes and DEGs. Protein–protein interaction networks of DEGs were constructed using the STRING database. Functional annotation of DEGs was conducted using comprehensive enrichment analyses based on Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways to elucidate their biological relevance. Seventeen LMRDEGs were found to be significantly upregulated or downregulated in SARC, underscoring their pivotal roles in disease pathogenesis. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these DEGs were primarily involved in metabolic energy regulation and intracellular signal transduction, suggesting their functional importance in SARC development. Immune infiltration analysis suggested substantial variations in immune cell abundance among SARC samples, emphasizing the immune system’s potential contribution to disease progression. This study demonstrates the importance of LMRDEGs in SARC and the need for further investigation into their roles as potential therapeutic targets.