Muscle wasting linked to old age might one day be treated using stem cells, claim US scientists.
A University of Colorado team transplanted cells into mice and saw the muscle more than double in size - staying that way even into old age.
They say their work, reported in Science Translational Medicine, may have promise in treating muscle-wasting conditions such as muscular dystrophy.
A UK expert said producing a human treatment might be difficult.
Stem cells are cells found in the body which can divide and become a variety of different types of tissue.
Scientists believe they could potentially help treat a large number of problems by helping to re-populate areas of tissue damaged by disease or injury.
A common problem in older people is muscle weakness, linked to a loss of muscle mass in the arms and legs.
This can lead to a swift fall in the quality of life for older people and in some cases increase the need for extra care and support.
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