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Contribution of anorexia to tissue wasting in cachexia
Alessio Molfino1, Alessandro Laviano, Filippo Rossi Fanelli
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|August 10, 2010
Summary
This review explores how the brain influences anorexia and tissue wasting in cachexia. Targeting the brain-muscle axis may offer new therapeutic strategies for these debilitating conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Anorexia is a severe symptom in chronic diseases, leading to weight loss and muscle catabolism.
- It is now recognized as a component of the cachexia syndrome.
- Pathogenic mechanisms suggest neural control over tissue wasting in cachexia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental and clinical data on the pathogenic mechanisms of anorexia and tissue wasting in cachexia.
- To discuss the neural control of these symptoms.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical data.
- Analysis of studies on melanocortin receptor antagonism.
- Evaluation of ghrelin administration effects.
Main Results:
- Selective melanocortin receptor antagonism modulates food intake and reduces wasting in disease models.
- Ghrelin administration shows promise but has not restored lean body mass.
- Hypothalamic melanocortin receptor antagonism is of significant interest.
Conclusions:
- The hypothalamus-coordinated 'brain-muscle axis' mediates anorexia and tissue wasting in cachexia.
- Central mechanisms influence energy homeostasis and the anabolism-catabolism balance.
- This axis represents a potential therapeutic target for cachexia and anorexia.
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