Premium
Mu RF ‐1 and p‐ GSK 3β expression in muscle atrophy of cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Merli Manuela,
Giusto Michela,
Molfino Alessio,
Bonetto Andrea,
Rossi Massimo,
Ginanni Corradini Stefano,
Baccino Francesco M.,
Rossi Fanelli Filippo,
Costelli Paola,
Muscaritoli Maurizio
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12128
Subject(s) - cirrhosis , medicine , sarcopenia , muscle atrophy , hepatocellular carcinoma , wasting , myostatin , atrophy , gastroenterology , liver disease , quality of life (healthcare) , chronic liver disease , muscle hypertrophy , nursing
Background Chronic diseases, including cirrhosis, are often accompanied by protein‐energy malnutrition and muscle loss, which in turn negatively affect quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Unlike other chronic conditions, few data are available on the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in this clinical setting. Aims To assess mechanisms of muscle atrophy in patients with cirrhosis. Methods Nutritional [subjective global assessment ( SGA ) and anthropometry] and metabolic assessment was performed in 30 cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. Rectus abdominis biopsies were obtained intraoperatively in 22 cirrhotic patients and in 10 well‐nourished subjects undergoing elective surgery for non‐neoplastic disease, as a control group. Total RNA was extracted and m RNA for atrogenes (MuRF‐1, Atrogin‐1/ MAF bx), myostatin ( MSTN ), GSK 3β and IGF ‐1 was assayed. Results A total of 50% of cirrhotic patients were malnourished based on SGA , while 53% were muscle‐depleted according to mid‐arm muscle area ( MAMA <5th percentile). Mu RF ‐1 RNA expression was significantly increased in malnourished cirrhotic patients ( SGA ‐B/C) vs. well‐nourished patients ( SGA ‐A) ( P = 0.01). The phosphorylation of GSK 3β was up‐regulated in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) vs. patients without tumour ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Muscle loss is frequently found in end‐stage liver disease patients. Molecular factors pertaining to signalling pathways known to be involved in the regulation of muscle mass are altered during cirrhosis and HCC .