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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advanced Integrated Model for Sepsis-Induced Myopathy and Single-Cell Metabolic Analysis
Published on: June 14, 2024
Cellular and molecular signatures of alcohol-induced myopathy in women
Boris S Shenkman1, Olga E Zinovyeva2, Svetlana P Belova1
1Institute of Biomedical Problems , Moscow , Russia.
Abstract:
Alcoholic myopathy is characterized by the reduction in cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscle fibers and impaired anabolic signaling. The goal of the current study was to investigate the causes and compare the changes in CSA and fiber type composition with the modifications of anabolic and catabolic signaling pathways at the early stages of chronic alcohol consumption in women. Skeletal muscle samples from 5 female patients with alcohol abuse (AL; 43 ± 5 yr old; alcohol abuse duration 5,6 ± 0,6 yr) were compared with the muscle from the control group of 8 healthy women (C; 35 ± 4 yr old). The average daily dose of alcohol consumption was 110 ± 10 ml of pure ethanol. In women patients, a significant decrease in CSA of type I and II muscle fibers, titin and nebulin content, plasma IGF-1 level and total IRS-1, p-Akt and p-4E-BP1 in vastus lateralis was found in comparison with the control group. The p-AMPK level was found to be increased versus the control group. In women patients with chronic alcoholic myopathy 1) both fast and slow muscle fibers are subjected to atrophy; 2) impairments in IGF-I-dependent signaling and pathways controlling translation initiation (AMPK/mTOR/4E-BP1), but not translation elongation, are observed; 3) the level of calpain-1 and ubiquitinated proteins increases, unlike E3 ligases content.
Insights
Early chronic alcohol consumption in women causes muscle fiber atrophy and impairs anabolic signaling pathways, affecting both fast and slow muscle types. This leads to reduced muscle mass and function, highlighting the detrimental effects of alcohol on skeletal muscle health.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology and cellular signaling.
- Biochemistry of alcohol-induced myopathy.
- Skeletal muscle adaptations to chronic alcohol exposure.
Background:
- Alcoholic myopathy is defined by reduced muscle fiber size and weakened anabolic signaling.
- Chronic alcohol abuse significantly impacts skeletal muscle structure and function.
- Understanding early-stage changes is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of muscle changes in early alcoholic myopathy in women.
- To compare changes in muscle fiber size and type with anabolic/catabolic signaling.
- To examine the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of skeletal muscle samples from female alcohol abusers and healthy controls.
- Analysis of muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber type composition.
- Assessment of key proteins in anabolic (IGF-1, IRS-1, Akt, 4E-BP1) and catabolic (AMPK, calpain-1) signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in CSA of type I and II muscle fibers in alcohol abusers.
- Reduced levels of titin, nebulin, IGF-1, IRS-1, p-Akt, and p-4E-BP1.
- Increased levels of p-AMPK, calpain-1, and ubiquitinated proteins observed.
Conclusions:
- Both fast and slow muscle fibers undergo atrophy in women with alcoholic myopathy.
- IGF-I-dependent signaling and translation initiation pathways (AMPK/mTOR/4E-BP1) are impaired.
- Increased calpain-1 and ubiquitinated proteins suggest enhanced protein degradation.
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