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Vemuri V, Kratholm N, Nagarajan D, Cathey D, Abdelbaset-Ismail A, Tan Y, Straughn A, Cai L, Huang J, Kakar SS. Withaferin A as a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Cachexia. Cells 2024; 13:783. [PMID: 38727319 PMCID: PMC11083229 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In our previous studies, we showed that the generation of ovarian tumors in NSG mice (immune-compromised) resulted in the induction of muscle and cardiac cachexia, and treatment with withaferin A (WFA; a steroidal lactone) attenuated both muscle and cardiac cachexia. However, our studies could not address if these restorations by WFA were mediated by its anti-tumorigenic properties that might, in turn, reduce the tumor burden or WFA's direct, inherent anti-cachectic properties. To address this important issue, in our present study, we used a cachectic model induced by the continuous infusion of Ang II by implanting osmotic pumps in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. The continuous infusion of Ang II resulted in the loss of the normal functions of the left ventricle (LV) (both systolic and diastolic), including a significant reduction in fractional shortening, an increase in heart weight and LV wall thickness, and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The infusion of Ang II also resulted in the development of cardiac fibrosis, and significant increases in the expression levels of genes (ANP, BNP, and MHCβ) associated with cardiac hypertrophy and the chemical staining of the collagen abundance as an indication of fibrosis. In addition, Ang II caused a significant increase in expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, MIP-2, and IFNγ), NLRP3 inflammasomes, AT1 receptor, and a decrease in AT2 receptor. Treatment with WFA rescued the LV functions and heart hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that, while WFA has anti-tumorigenic properties, it also ameliorates the cardiac dysfunction induced by Ang II, suggesting that it could be an anticachectic agent that induces direct effects on cardiac muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasa Vemuri
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (V.V.); (N.K.); (D.N.)
| | - Nicholas Kratholm
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (V.V.); (N.K.); (D.N.)
| | - Darini Nagarajan
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (V.V.); (N.K.); (D.N.)
| | - Dakotah Cathey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (D.C.); (Y.T.); (L.C.); (J.H.)
- Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelbaset-Ismail
- Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Yi Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (D.C.); (Y.T.); (L.C.); (J.H.)
- Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Alex Straughn
- Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Lu Cai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (D.C.); (Y.T.); (L.C.); (J.H.)
- Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Jiapeng Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (D.C.); (Y.T.); (L.C.); (J.H.)
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sham S. Kakar
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; (V.V.); (N.K.); (D.N.)
- Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
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Tao Z, Chen Z, Gao Y, Quan M. Influence of cachexia on immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis for malignant tumors of the digestive system. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e2100. [PMID: 38775250 PMCID: PMC11110103 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of cancer cachexia is a significant adverse prognostic indicator in patients with malignant tumors. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a constant loss of skeletal muscles with or without a loss of weight, leading to immune dysfunction. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the influence of cachexia on the immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis for malignant tumors of the digestive system. METHODS The present study adopts a cross-sectional design. The prognosis data of patients with advanced cancer of the digestive system who received immunotherapy from September 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed. Cachexia was calculated using the change of the area of the psoas major muscle (PMMA) or the weight. We measured the change at the beginning of immunotherapy and at least 2 cycles afterward. The participants were categorized into the cachexia group and control group based on the evaluation criteria. Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank methods were used for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazard model as a method to assess the contribution of different clinical factors to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS A total number of 98 patients, including esophageal carcinoma (4, 4%), gastric (36, 37%), colorectal (51, 52%), and other cancer types (7, 7%), were enrolled. Fifty-four patients were diagnosed with non-cancer cachexia, and the cancer cachexia group included 44 patients. The median PFS in the cachexia group was shorter than that in the control group (130 days vs. 212 days). Their difference was not significant (p = .321). The survival rate of the patients without cachexia was longer than of those with cachexia (p = .027). The level of albumin and the number of metastatic organs were related to PFS (p = .020, p = .029). The albumin level was significantly associated with the OS of patients (p = .003). CONCLUSIONS The presence of cachexia was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with malignant tumors of the digestive system who received immunotherapy, not with PFS or the response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Tao
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiqin Chen
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Gao
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Ming Quan
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
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Abstract
Cachexia is a complex wasting syndrome, accompanying a variety of end-stage chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart failure and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It significantly affects patients' quality of life and survival. Multiple therapeutic approaches have been studied over time. However, despite promising results, no drug has been approved to date. In this review, we examine and discuss the available data on the therapeutic effects of androgens and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) for cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanelli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20100, Milan, Italy; Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20100, Milan, Italy; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, NE1 4LP, UK.
| | - Richard Quinton
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, NE1 4LP, UK; Translational & Clinical Research Institute, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK.
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Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, Mavroudis A, Tsioufis K. Fluid and Salt Balance and the Role of Nutrition in Heart Failure. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071386. [PMID: 35405998 PMCID: PMC9002780 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The main challenges in heart failure (HF) treatment are to manage patients with refractory acute decompensated HF and to stabilize the clinical status of a patient with chronic heart failure. Beyond the use of medications targeted in the inhibition of the neurohormonal system, the balance of salt and fluid plays an important role in the maintenance of clinical compensation in respect of renal function. In the case of heart failure, a debate of opinion exists on salt restriction. Restricted dietary sodium might lead to worse outcomes in heart failure patients due to the activation of the neurohormonal system and malnutrition. On the contrary, positive sodium balance is the primary driver of water retention and, ultimately, volume overload in acute HF. Some recent studies reported associations of decreased salt consumption with higher readmission rates and increased mortality. Thus, the usefulness of salt restriction in heart failure management remains debated. The use of individualized nutritional support, compared with standard hospital food, was effective in reducing these risks, particularly in the group of patients at high nutritional risk.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Heart failure (HF) is a structural or functional cardiac abnormality which leads to failure of the heart to deliver oxygen commensurately with the requirements of the tissues and it may progress to a generalized wasting of skeletal muscle, fat tissue, and bone tissue (cardiac cachexia). Clinically, dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance are some typical signs and symptoms that characterize HF patients. This review focused on the phenotypic characteristics of HF-induced skeletal myopathy as well as the mechanisms of muscle wasting due to HF and highlighted possible therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle wasting in HF. RECENT FINDINGS The impaired exercise capacity of those patients is not attributed to the reduced blood flow in the exercising muscles, but rather to abnormal metabolic responses, myocyte apoptosis and atrophy of skeletal muscle. Specifically, the development of skeletal muscle wasting in chronic HF is characterized by structural, metabolic, and functional abnormalities in skeletal muscle and may be a result not only of reduced physical activity, but also of metabolic or hormonal derangements that favour catabolism over anabolism. In particular, abnormal energy metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, transition of myofibers from type I to type II, muscle atrophy, and reduction in muscular strength are included in skeletal muscle abnormalities which play a central role in the decreased exercise capacity of HF patients. Skeletal muscle alterations and exercise intolerance observed in HF are reversible by exercise training, since it is the only demonstrated intervention able to improve skeletal muscle metabolism, growth factor activity, and functional capacity and to reverse peripheral abnormalities.
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Krysztofiak H, Wleklik M, Migaj J, Dudek M, Uchmanowicz I, Lisiak M, Kubielas G, Straburzyńska-Migaj E, Lesiak M, Kałużna-Oleksy M. Cardiac Cachexia: A Well-Known but Challenging Complication of Heart Failure. Clin Interv Aging 2020; 15:2041-2051. [PMID: 33173285 PMCID: PMC7646468 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s273967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a common complication of various cardiac diseases, and its incidence constantly increases. This is caused mainly by aging of populations and improvement in the treatment of coronary artery disease. As HF patients age, they tend to develop comorbidities, creating new problems for health-care professionals. Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and function, and cachexia, defined as weight loss due to an underlying illness, are muscle wasting disorders of particular relevance in the heart failure population, but they go mostly unrecognized. The coexistence of chronic HF and metabolic disorders facilitates the development of cachexia. Cachexia, in turn, significantly worsens a patient’s prognosis and quality of life. The mechanisms underlying cachexia have not been explained yet and require further research. Understanding its background is crucial in the development of treatment strategies to prevent and treat tissue wasting. There are currently no specific European guidelines or recommended therapy for cachexia treatment in HF (“cardiac cachexia”).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Krysztofiak
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Wleklik
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Migaj
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland.,Poznan University of Medical Sciences Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dudek
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland.,Poznan University of Medical Sciences Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Lisiak
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kubielas
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Straburzyńska-Migaj
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland.,Poznan University of Medical Sciences Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Lesiak
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland.,Poznan University of Medical Sciences Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Kałużna-Oleksy
- 1st Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poznan, Poland.,Poznan University of Medical Sciences Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
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7
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Cadegiani FA. Repurposing existing drugs for COVID-19: an endocrinology perspective. BMC Endocr Disord 2020; 20:149. [PMID: 32993622 PMCID: PMC7523486 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-020-00626-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multi-systemic infection caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that has become a pandemic. Although its prevailing symptoms include anosmia, ageusia, dry couch, fever, shortness of brief, arthralgia, myalgia, and fatigue, regional and methodological assessments vary, leading to heterogeneous clinical descriptions of COVID-19. Aging, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and exposure to androgens have been correlated with worse prognosis in COVID-19. Abnormalities in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and the androgen-driven transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) have been elicited as key modulators of SARS-CoV-2. MAIN TEXT While safe and effective therapies for COVID-19 lack, the current moment of pandemic urges for therapeutic options. Existing drugs should be preferred over novel ones for clinical testing due to four inherent characteristics: 1. Well-established long-term safety profile, known risks and contraindications; 2. More accurate predictions of clinical effects; 3. Familiarity of clinical management; and 4. Affordable costs for public health systems. In the context of the key modulators of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, endocrine targets have become central as candidates for COVID-19. The only endocrine or endocrine-related drug class with already existing emerging evidence for COVID-19 is the glucocorticoids, particularly for the use of dexamethasone for severely affected patients. Other drugs that are more likely to present clinical effects despite the lack of specific evidence for COVID-19 include anti-androgens (spironolactone, eplerenone, finasteride and dutasteride), statins, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ACE inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and direct TMPRSS-2 inhibitors (nafamostat and camostat). Several other candidates show less consistent plausibility. In common, except for dexamethasone, all candidates have no evidence for COVID-19, and clinical trials are needed. CONCLUSION While dexamethasone may reduce mortality in severely ill patients with COVID-19, in the absence of evidence of any specific drug for mild-to-moderate COVID-19, researchers should consider testing existing drugs due to their favorable safety, familiarity, and cost profile. However, except for dexamethasone in severe COVID-19, drug treatments for COVID-19 patients must be restricted to clinical research studies until efficacy has been extensively proven, with favorable outcomes in terms of reduction in hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio A Cadegiani
- Adrenal and Hypertension Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo 781 - 13th floor, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil.
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8
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McKeaveney C, Maxwell P, Noble H, Reid J. A Critical Review of Multimodal Interventions for Cachexia. Adv Nutr 2020; 12:523-532. [PMID: 32970097 PMCID: PMC8262513 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are no standardized treatments for cachexia or severe wasting. There is a growing consensus advocating multimodal interventions to address the complex pathogenesis and metabolic alterations in these conditions. This review examined multimodal treatments intended to alleviate and/or stabilize cachexia and severe wasting. The objectives of this review were to 1) identify multimodal interventions for the treatment of cachexia or associated wasting syndromes in patients with a chronic illness, 2) assess the quality of these studies, and 3) assess the effectiveness of multimodal interventions. Electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PEDro, OpenGrey, and clinicaltrials.org were systematically searched using both text words and MeSH (medical subject heading) terms. The literature revealed a dearth of large, well-conducted trials in this area. Fourteen trials (n = 5 cancer, n = 5 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, n = 4 chronic kidney disease) were included in this review. A total of 1026 patients were included across all studies; sample size ranged between 21 and 138 patients. Baseline and follow-up data were collected between 6 wk and 24 mo. All demonstrated some improvement in favor of the treatment groups, in relevant measures of body composition, nutrition, biomarkers, and functionality; however, caution should be applied due to the heterogenous nature of the interventions and small sample sizes. Overall, the evidence from this review supports the role of multimodal interventions in the treatment of severe wasting. However, randomized controlled trials with a powered sample size and sufficiently lengthy interaction period are necessary to assess if multimodal interventions are effective forms of therapy for improving body composition and nutritional and physical status in patients with cachexia and wasting. The protocol for this review is registered with Prospero (ID: CRD42019124374).
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare McKeaveney
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University
Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Peter Maxwell
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical
Science, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland,Regional Nephrology Unit, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health Social Care
Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Helen Noble
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University
Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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9
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Ivey-Miranda JB, Inker LA, Griffin M, Rao V, Maulion C, Turner JM, Wilson FP, Tang WHW, Levey AS, Testani JM. Cystatin C and Muscle Mass in Patients With Heart Failure. J Card Fail 2020; 27:48-56. [PMID: 32750487 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from cystatin C (eGFRcys) is often considered a more accurate method to assess GFR compared with an eGFR from creatinine (eGFRcr) in the setting of heart failure (HF) and sarcopenia, because cystatin C is hypothesized to be less affected by muscle mass than creatinine. We evaluated (1) the association of muscle mass with cystatin C, (2) the accuracy of eGFRcys, and (3) the association of eGFRcys with mortality given muscle mass. METHODS AND RESULTS We included 293 patients admitted with HF. Muscle mass was estimated with a validated creatinine excretion-based equation. Accuracy of eGFRcys and eGFRcr was compared with measured creatinine clearance. Cystatin C and creatinine were 31.7% and 59.9% higher per 14 kg higher muscle mass at multivariable analysis (both P < .001). At lower muscle mass, eGFRcys and eGFRcr overestimated the measured creatinine clearance. At higher muscle mass, eGFRcys underestimated the measured creatinine clearance, but eGFRcr did not. After adjusting for muscle mass, neither eGFRcys nor eGFRcr were associated with mortality (both P > .19). CONCLUSIONS Cystatin C levels were associated with muscle mass in patients with HF, which could potentially decrease the accuracy of eGFRcys. In HF where aberrations in body composition are common, eGFRcys, like eGFRcr, may not provide accurate GFR estimations and results should be interpreted cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan B Ivey-Miranda
- Department of Heart Failure, Hospital de Cardiologia, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lesley A Inker
- Department of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Matthew Griffin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Veena Rao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christopher Maulion
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jeffrey M Turner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - F Perry Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - W H Wilson Tang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Andrew S Levey
- Department of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey M Testani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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10
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Ineson DL, Freeman LM, Rush JE. Clinical and laboratory findings and survival time associated with cardiac cachexia in dogs with congestive heart failure. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:1902-1908. [PMID: 31317600 PMCID: PMC6766489 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac cachexia, loss of muscle mass associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), is associated with increased morbidity and shorter survival times in people, but an association between cardiac cachexia and survival has not been reported in dogs. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of cachexia and its associations with clinical, laboratory, and survival data in dogs with CHF. ANIMALS Two hundred sixty-nine dogs with CHF. METHODS Retrospective cohort study. Cachexia was defined by 1 of 2 definitions: (1) mild, moderate, or severe muscle loss or (2) weight loss of ≥5% in 12 months or less. Variables were compared between dogs with and without cachexia. RESULTS One hundred thirty of 269 dogs (48.3%) had cardiac cachexia based on muscle loss, whereas 67 of 159 dogs (42.1%) with pre-evaluation body weights had cachexia based on weight loss. Dogs with cachexia (based on muscle loss) were significantly older (P = .05), more likely to have a cardiac arrhythmia (P = .02), had higher chloride concentrations (P = .04), and had a lower body condition score (P < .001), hematocrit (P = .006), hemoglobin (P = .006), and albumin (P = .004) concentrations. On multivariable analysis, cachexia (P = .05), clinically important tachyarrhythmias (P < .001), azotemia (P < .001), and being under- or overweight (both P = .003) were associated with shorter survival times. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Cardiac cachexia in common in dogs with CHF and is associated with significantly shorter survival. This emphasizes the importance of preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle loss in dogs with CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L Ineson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa M Freeman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts
| | - John E Rush
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts
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