Fig. 1.

Skeletal muscle atrophy models. C2C12 myotubes are the main cellular model used to study atrophy in vitro. Among the main disuse muscle atrophy animal models, we can highlight: denervation, casting, hindlimb unloading and mechanical ventilation. Four models are validated by the scientific community to study disuse muscle atrophy in humans. Atrophy is a debilitating response, not only to inactivity, but also to many systemic diseases such as sepsis, HIV, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, and heart failure.