Association of Myostatin Gene Polymorphisms with Strength and Muscle Mass in Athletes: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the MSTN rs1805086 Mutation

Abstract Introduction. Variant (rs1805086, c.458A>G, p.Lys(K)153Arg(R), (K153R) of the myostatin gene (MSTN) has been associated with a skeletal muscle phenotype (hypertrophic response in muscles due to strength training). However, there are not enough reliable data to demonstrate whether the K and R allelic variants of MSTN rs1805086 are valid genetic factors that can affect the strength phenotype of athletes’ skeletal muscles. Purpose. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of MSTN rs1805086 polymorphism with the strength phenotype of athletes. Materials and methods. This study analyzed 71 research articles on myostatin and performed a meta-analysis of MSTN K153R rs1805086 polymorphism in strength-oriented athletes and control (non-athletes) group. Results. It was found that athletes in the strength-oriented athletes group had a higher frequency of the R minor allele than that in the control group (OR = 2.02, P = 0.05). Conclusion. Thus, the obtained results convincingly demonstrate that there is an association between the studied polymorphism and strength phenotype of athletes; therefore, further studies on this association are scientifically warranted.