In certain aspects, the disclosure provides soluble heteromeric polypeptide complexes comprising an extracellular domain of an ALK4 receptor and an extracellular domain of ActRIIB In certain aspects, such soluble ALK4:ActRIIB complexes may be used to regulate (promote or inhibit) growth of tissues or cells including, for example, muscle, bone, cartilage, fat, neural tissue, tumors, and/or cancerous cells. In certain aspects, such ALK4:ActRIIB complexes are can be used to improve muscle formation, bone formation, metabolic parameters, and disorders associated with these tissues, cellular networks, kidney, and endocrine systems.

An in vitro method of producing a population of muscle stem cells comprising co-culturing pluripotent stem cells, embryonic fibroblast cells and endothelial cells in 3D cell culture.

A compound comprising at least two components, a first component being the nLG3 or (h)nLG3 domain from the C-terminus of mouse or human agrin, and at least one second component, selected from proteins or an antagonistic antibody that inhibit ActR2B-induced signaling activity in the presence of myostatin, the components being linked by means of linking entities. Such compounds are effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases and problems.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing or treating skeletal muscle conditions or diseases. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods that help to increase NAD+ levels in skeletal muscle. Preferably, the present invention relates to compositions and methods that use trigonelline and vitamins selected from the group consisting of: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, B3, B6, B7, Vitamin C and/or Vitamin E for preventing or treating skeletal muscle conditions or diseases. The recipient of the compositions of the invention can be, for example, an elderly individual or an individual with sarcopenia or an individual in need of the compositions and methods of the invention for recovery of skeletal muscles, for example, after exercise, muscle injury or surgery.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing or treating skeletal muscle conditions or diseases. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods that help to increase NAD+ levels in skeletal muscle. Preferably, the present invention relates to compositions and methods that use trigonelline and vitamins selected from the group consisting of: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, B3, B6, B7, Vitamin C and/or Vitamin E for preventing or treating skeletal muscle conditions or diseases. The recipient of the compositions of the invention can be, for example, an elderly individual or an individual with sarcopenia or an individual in need of the compositions and methods of the invention for recovery of skeletal muscles, for example, after exercise, muscle injury or surgery.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising inulin and protein for reducing loss of muscle mass. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising inulin and protein, wherein said the ratio of said inulin to said protein is between 5/95 to 75/25 by weight. The present invention therefore also concerns the use of a composition comprising inulin and protein for the preparation of a food or a medicament.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising inulin and protein for reducing loss of muscle mass. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising inulin and protein, wherein said the ratio of said inulin to said protein is between 5/95 to 75/25 by weight. The present invention therefore also concerns the use of a composition comprising inulin and protein for the preparation of a food or a medicament.

Methods of improving physical performance and endurance include administering a capsicum composition to a subject. More particularly the methods include administration of an effective amount of a capsicum composition including capsaicinoids alone and/or in combination with other nutrients for improvement in performance of physical activities. The methods described include administration of a capsicum composition to a subject undergoing physical activity to deliver daily dose of capsaicinoids in an effective amount. The methods include administering a capsicum composition to a subject in an effective amount to reduce blood lipids and oxidative stress. Methods for enhancing physical endurance and exhaustion time include administering an effective amount of a capsicum composition to a physically active subject, wherein body antioxidants are increased and muscle lactates are decreased, resulting in recovery from muscle fatigue arising due to such indoor and/or outdoor physical activities.

Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.