Compositions and methods for treating striated muscle injury, treating striated muscle atrophy, and/or for promoting straited muscle growth are provided and include administering zinc oxide nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof. The zinc oxide nanoparticles can be adminstered before, during, and/or after exposure to an injurious stimuli, such as radiation. Adminstration of the zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces activation of autophagy regulators, increases striated muscle anabolism, increases DNA repair signaling, and/or increases striated muscle protein synthesis and growth.
