Human Cachexia Induces Changes in Mitochondria, Autophagy and Apoptosis in the Skeletal Muscle.

ABSTRACT: Cachexia is a wasting syndrome characterized by the continuous loss of skeletal muscle mass due to imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation, which is related with poor prognosis and compromised quality of life. Dysfunctional mitochondria are associated with lower muscle strength and muscle atrophy in cancer patients, yet poorly described in human cachexia. We herein investigated mitochondrial morphology, autophagy and apoptosis in the skeletal muscle of patients with gastrointestinal cancer-associated cachexia (CC), as compared with a weight-stable cancer group (WSC). CC showed prominent weight loss and increased circulating levels of serum C-reactive protein, lower body mass index and decreased circulating hemoglobin, when compared to WSC. Electron microscopy analysis revealed

SUBMITTER: de Castro GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6770124 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature