MacDonald, A. J., Johns, N., Stephens, N. A., Greig, C. A., Ross, J. A., Small, A. C., Husi, H., Fearon, K. C.H. and Preston, T. (2015) Habitual myofibrillar protein synthesis is normal in patients with upper GI cancer cachexia. Clinical Cancer Research, 21(7), pp. 1734-1740. (doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-2004) (PMID:25370466)
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Abstract
Purpose: Skeletal muscle wasting and weight loss are characteristic features of cancer cachexia and contribute to impaired function, increased morbidity and poor tolerance of chemotherapy. This study used a novel technique to measure habitual myofibrillar protein synthesis in cancer patients compared with healthy controls. Experimental design: An oral heavy water (87.5g deuterium oxide) tracer was administered as a single dose. Serum samples were taken over the subsequent week followed by a quadriceps muscle biopsy. Deuterium enrichment was measured in body water, serum alanine and alanine in the myofibrillar component of muscle using Gas Chromatography-Pyrolysis-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry and the protein synthesis rate calculated from the rate of tracer incorporation. Net change in muscle mass over the preceding 3 months was calculated from serial CT scans and allowed estimation of protein breakdown. Results: 7 healthy volunteers, 6 weight-stable and 7 weight-losing (≥5% weight loss) patients undergoing surgery for upper GI cancer were recruited. Serial CT scans were available in 10 patients, who lost skeletal muscle mass preoperatively at a rate of 5.6%/100d. Myofibrillar protein fractional synthetic rate was 0.058, 0.061 and 0.073 %/h in controls, weight-stable and weight-losing patients respectively. Weight-losing patients had higher synthetic rates than controls (p=0.03). Conclusion: Contrary to previous studies, there was no evidence of suppression of myofibrillar protein synthesis in patients with cancer cachexia. Our finding implies a small increase in muscle breakdown may account for muscle wasting.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Preston, Professor Tom and Small, Mrs Sandra and Husi, Dr Holger |
Authors: | MacDonald, A. J., Johns, N., Stephens, N. A., Greig, C. A., Ross, J. A., Small, A. C., Husi, H., Fearon, K. C.H., and Preston, T. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre |
Journal Name: | Clinical Cancer Research |
Publisher: | American Association for Cancer Research |
ISSN: | 1078-0432 |
ISSN (Online): | 1557-3265 |
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