A naukri.com initiative
Bioengineer
1w
374
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Impaired Blood Vessel Function Drives Muscle Wasting in Cancer
- A study by University of Illinois Chicago reveals a link between muscle blood vessel dysfunction and muscle weakness in cancer cachexia.
- Cancer cachexia affects up to 80% of patients, leading to severe muscle wasting and weight loss.
- Researchers led by Dr. Jalees Rehman identified activin A's impact on endothelial cells in muscle blood vessels as a key driver of muscle degradation in cancer.
- The disruption of PGC1α by activin A impairs endothelial cell function, leading to muscle atrophy in cachexia.
- The study highlights reduced vascular density in cachexic muscles, correlating with diminished muscle size and strength.
- Reactivating PGC1α in endothelial cells could restore vascular function and reverse muscle wasting, offering new treatment possibilities.
- Targeting the activin A–PGC1α axis may help develop therapies to combat muscle loss and enhance patient strength and survival.
- Implications extend beyond pancreatic cancer, with similar vascular dysfunction observed in other cancer models.
- This study emphasizes the active role of muscle blood vessels in cancer cachexia and the potential for innovative interventions targeting vascular health.
- Addressing the vascular component of cachexia could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
- The research underscores the importance of endothelial dysfunction in cancer cachexia and offers hope for new strategies to combat muscle loss in cancer patients.
Read Full Article
22 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app