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Moreira-Pais A, Ferreira R, Baltazar T, Neuparth MJ, Vitorino R, Reis-Mendes A, Costa VM, Oliveira PA, Duarte JA. Long-term effects of the chronic administration of doxorubicin on aged skeletal muscle: An exploratory study in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 733:150650. [PMID: 39255618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The widely used chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) has been associated with adverse effects on the skeletal muscle, which can persist for years after the end of the treatment. These adverse effects may be exacerbated in older patients, whose skeletal muscle might already be impaired by aging. Nonetheless, the mediators responsible for DOX-induced myotoxicity are still largely unidentified, particularly the ones involved in the long-term effects that negatively affect the quality of life of the patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of the chronic administration of DOX on the soleus muscle of aged mice. For that and to mimic the clinical regimen, a dose of 1.5 mg kg-1 of DOX was administered two times per week for three consecutive weeks in a cumulative dose of 9 mg kg-1 to 19-month-old male mice, which were sacrificed two months after the last administration. Body wasting and the atrophy of the soleus muscle, as measured by a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the soleus muscle fibers, were identified as long-term effects of DOX administration. The atrophy observed was correlated with increased reactive oxygen species production and caspase-3 activity. An impaired skeletal muscle regeneration was also suggested due to the correlation between satellite cells activation and the soleus muscle fibers atrophy. Systemic inflammation, skeletal muscle energy metabolism and neuromuscular junction-related markers do not appear to be involved in the long-term DOX-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. The data provided by this study shed light on the mediators involved in the overlooked long-term DOX-induced myotoxicity, paving the way to the improvement of the quality of life and survival rates of older cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Moreira-Pais
- Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP) and Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4200-450, Porto, Portugal; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Centre for Research and Technology of Agro Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Rita Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Telmo Baltazar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Neuparth
- Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP) and Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4200-450, Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal.
| | - Rui Vitorino
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana Reis-Mendes
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - José A Duarte
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal.
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Papadopetraki A, Giannopoulos A, Maridaki M, Zagouri F, Droufakou S, Koutsilieris M, Philippou A. The Role of Exercise in Cancer-Related Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5856. [PMID: 38136400 PMCID: PMC10741686 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most common adverse effects of cancer and its therapeutic strategies is sarcopenia, a condition which is characterised by excess muscle wasting and muscle strength loss due to the disrupted muscle homeostasis. Moreover, cancer-related sarcopenia may be combined with the increased deposition of fat mass, a syndrome called cancer-associated sarcopenic obesity. Both clinical conditions have significant clinical importance and can predict disease progression and survival. A growing body of evidence supports the claim that physical exercise is a safe and effective complementary therapy for oncology patients which can limit the cancer- and its treatment-related muscle catabolism and promote the maintenance of muscle mass. Moreover, even after the onset of sarcopenia, exercise interventions can counterbalance the muscle mass loss and improve the clinical appearance and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of this narrative review was to describe the various pathophysiological mechanisms, such as protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, inflammatory response, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which are regulated by exercise and contribute to the management of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Moreover, myokines, factors produced by and released from exercising muscles, are being discussed as they appear to play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise against sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyro Papadopetraki
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.P.)
| | - Antonios Giannopoulos
- Section of Sports Medicine, Department of Community Medicine & Rehabilitation, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Maria Maridaki
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 172 37 Dafne, Greece
| | - Flora Zagouri
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michael Koutsilieris
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.P.)
| | - Anastassios Philippou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.P.)
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3
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Argilés JM, López-Soriano FJ, Stemmler B, Busquets S. Cancer-associated cachexia - understanding the tumour macroenvironment and microenvironment to improve management. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:250-264. [PMID: 36806788 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00734-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Cachexia is a devastating, multifactorial and often irreversible systemic syndrome characterized by substantial weight loss (mainly of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) that occurs in around 50-80% of patients with cancer. Although this condition mainly affects skeletal muscle (which accounts for approximately 40% of total body weight), cachexia is a multi-organ syndrome that also involves white and brown adipose tissue, and organs including the bones, brain, liver, gut and heart. Notably, cachexia accounts for up to 20% of cancer-related deaths. Cancer-associated cachexia is invariably associated with systemic inflammation, anorexia and increased energy expenditure. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, and the progress achieved in this area over the past decade could help to develop new therapeutic approaches. In this Review, we examine the currently available evidence on the roles of both the tumour macroenvironment and microenvironment in cancer-associated cachexia, and provide an overview of the novel therapeutic strategies developed to manage this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep M Argilés
- Cancer Research Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francisco J López-Soriano
- Cancer Research Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Busquets
- Cancer Research Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Pedrosa MB, Barbosa S, Vitorino R, Ferreira R, Moreira-Gonçalves D, Santos LL. Chemotherapy-Induced Molecular Changes in Skeletal Muscle. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030905. [PMID: 36979884 PMCID: PMC10045751 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Paraneoplastic conditions such as cancer cachexia are often exacerbated by chemotherapy, which affects the patient’s quality of life as well as the response to therapy. The aim of this narrative review was to overview the body-composition-related changes and molecular effects of different chemotherapy agents used in cancer treatment on skeletal-muscle remodeling. A literature search was performed using the Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct databases and a total of 77 papers was retrieved. In general, the literature survey showed that the molecular changes induced by chemotherapy in skeletal muscle have been studied mainly in animal models and mostly in non-tumor-bearing rodents, whereas clinical studies have essentially assessed changes in body composition by computerized tomography. Data from preclinical studies showed that chemotherapy modulates several molecular pathways in skeletal muscle, including the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, autophagy, IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR, IL-6/JAK/STAT, and NF-κB pathway; however, the newest chemotherapy agents are underexplored. In conclusion, chemotherapy exacerbates skeletal-muscle wasting in cancer patients; however, the incomplete characterization of the chemotherapy-related molecular effects on skeletal muscle makes the development of new preventive anti-wasting strategies difficult. Therefore, further investigation on molecular mechanisms and clinical studies are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Barbosa Pedrosa
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.B.P.); (L.L.S.)
| | - Samuel Barbosa
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Vitorino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Ferreira
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniel Moreira-Gonçalves
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.B.P.); (L.L.S.)
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Emerging Mechanisms of Skeletal Muscle Homeostasis and Cachexia: The SUMO Perspective. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040644. [PMID: 36831310 PMCID: PMC9953977 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobility is an intrinsic feature of the animal kingdom that stimulates evolutionary processes and determines the biological success of animals. Skeletal muscle is the primary driver of voluntary movements. Besides, skeletal muscles have an immense impact on regulating glucose, amino acid, and lipid homeostasis. Muscle atrophy/wasting conditions are accompanied by a drastic effect on muscle function and disrupt steady-state muscle physiology. Cachexia is a complex multifactorial muscle wasting syndrome characterized by extreme loss of skeletal muscle mass, resulting in a dramatic decrease in life quality and reported mortality in more than 30% of patients with advanced cancers. The lack of directed treatments to prevent or relieve muscle loss indicates our inadequate knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in muscle cell organization and the molecular etiology of cancer-induced cachexia (CIC). This review highlights the latest knowledge of regulatory mechanisms involved in maintaining muscle function and their deregulation in wasting syndromes, particularly in cachexia. Recently, protein posttranslational modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) has emerged as a key regulatory mechanism of protein function with implications for different aspects of cell physiology and diseases. We also review an atypical association of SUMO-mediated pathways in this context and deliberate on potential treatment strategies to alleviate muscle atrophy.
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Exercise Counteracts the Deleterious Effects of Cancer Cachexia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102512. [PMID: 35626116 PMCID: PMC9139714 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review provides an overview of the effects of exercise training on the major mechanisms related to cancer cachexia (CC). The review also discusses how cancer comorbidities can influence the ability of patients/animals with cancer to perform exercise training and what precautions should be taken when they exercise. The contribution of other factors, such as exercise modality and biological sex, to exercise effectiveness in ameliorating CC are also elaborated in the final sections. We provide meticulous evidence for how advantageous exercise training can be in patients/animals with CC at molecular and cellular levels. Finally, we emphasise what factors should be considered to optimise and personalise an exercise training program in CC. Abstract Cancer cachexia (CC) is a multifactorial syndrome characterised by unintentional loss of body weight and muscle mass in patients with cancer. The major hallmarks associated with CC development and progression include imbalanced protein turnover, inflammatory signalling, mitochondrial dysfunction and satellite cell dysregulation. So far, there is no effective treatment to counteract muscle wasting in patients with CC. Exercise training has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for CC. This review provides an overview of the effects of exercise training in CC-related mechanisms as well as how factors such as cancer comorbidities, exercise modality and biological sex can influence exercise effectiveness in CC. Evidence in mice and humans suggests exercise training combats all of the hallmarks of CC. Several exercise modalities induce beneficial adaptations in patients/animals with CC, but concurrent resistance and endurance training is considered the optimal type of exercise. In the case of cancer patients presenting comorbidities, exercise training should be performed only under specific guidelines and precautions to avoid adverse effects. Observational comparison of studies in CC using different biological sex shows exercise-induced adaptations are similar between male and female patients/animals with cancer, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
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Andreou C, Matsakas A. Current insights into cellular senescence and myotoxicity induced by doxorubicin. Int J Sports Med 2022; 43:1084-1096. [PMID: 35288882 DOI: 10.1055/a-1797-7622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin is an anti-neoplasmic drug that prevents DNA replication but induces senescence and cellular toxicity. Intensive research has focused on strategies to alleviate the doxorubicin-induced skeletal myotoxicity. The aim of the present review is to critically discuss the relevant scientific evidence about the role of exercise and growth factor administration and offer novel insights about newly developed-tools to combat the adverse drug reactions of doxorubicin treatment on skeletal muscle. In the first part, we discuss current data and mechanistic details on the impact of doxorubicin on skeletal myotoxicity. We next, review key aspects about the role of regular exercise and the impact of growth factors either administered pharmacologically or via genetic interventions. Future strategies such as combination of exercise and growth factor administration remain to be established to combat the pharmacologically-induced myotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Andreou
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Antonios Matsakas
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Mallard J, Hucteau E, Hureau TJ, Pagano AF. Skeletal Muscle Deconditioning in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: Current Knowledge and Insights From Other Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:719643. [PMID: 34595171 PMCID: PMC8476809 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.719643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer while neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapies are extensively used in order to reduce tumor development and improve disease-free survival. However, chemotherapy also leads to severe off-target side-effects resulting, together with the tumor itself, in major skeletal muscle deconditioning. This review first focuses on recent advances in both macroscopic changes and cellular mechanisms implicated in skeletal muscle deconditioning of breast cancer patients, particularly as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. To date, only six clinical studies used muscle biopsies in breast cancer patients and highlighted several important aspects of muscle deconditioning such as a decrease in muscle fibers cross-sectional area, a dysregulation of protein turnover balance and mitochondrial alterations. However, in comparison with the knowledge accumulated through decades of intensive research with many different animal and human models of muscle atrophy, more studies are necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the cellular processes implicated in breast cancer-mediated muscle deconditioning. This understanding is indeed essential to ultimately lead to the implementation of efficient preventive strategies such as exercise, nutrition or pharmacological treatments. We therefore also discuss potential mechanisms implicated in muscle deconditioning by drawing a parallel with other cancer cachexia models of muscle wasting, both at the pre-clinical and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Mallard
- Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg, France.,Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, UR 3072, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Centre Européen d'Enseignement de Recherche et d'Innovation en Physiologie de l'Exercice (CEERIPE), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elyse Hucteau
- Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg, France.,Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, UR 3072, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Centre Européen d'Enseignement de Recherche et d'Innovation en Physiologie de l'Exercice (CEERIPE), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas J Hureau
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, UR 3072, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Centre Européen d'Enseignement de Recherche et d'Innovation en Physiologie de l'Exercice (CEERIPE), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Allan F Pagano
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, UR 3072, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Centre Européen d'Enseignement de Recherche et d'Innovation en Physiologie de l'Exercice (CEERIPE), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Mortreux M, Rosa‐Caldwell ME, Stiehl ID, Sung D, Thomas NT, Fry CS, Rutkove SB. Hindlimb suspension in Wistar rats: Sex-based differences in muscle response. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15042. [PMID: 34612585 PMCID: PMC8493566 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ground-based animal models have been used extensively to understand the effects of microgravity on various physiological systems. Among them, hindlimb suspension (HLS), developed in 1979 in rats, remains the gold-standard and allows researchers to study the consequences of total unloading of the hind limbs while inducing a cephalic fluid shift. While this model has already brought valuable insights to space biology, few studies have directly compared functional decrements in the muscles of males and females during HLS. We exposed 28 adult Wistar rats (14 males and 14 females) to 14 days of HLS or normal loading (NL) to better assess how sex impacts disuse-induced muscle deconditioning. Females better maintained muscle function during HLS than males, as shown by a more moderate reduction in grip strength at 7 days (males: -37.5 ± 3.1%, females: -22.4 ± 6.5%, compared to baseline), that remains stable during the second week of unloading (males: -53.3 ± 5.7%, females: -22.4 ± 5.5%, compared to day 0) while the males exhibit a steady decrease over time (effect of sex × loading p = 0.0002, effect of sex × time × loading p = 0.0099). This was further supported by analyzing the force production in response to a tetanic stimulus. Further functional analyses using force production were also shown to correspond to sex differences in relative loss of muscle mass and CSA. Moreover, our functional data were supported by histomorphometric analyzes, and we highlighted differences in relative muscle loss and CSA. Specifically, female rats seem to experience a lesser muscle deconditioning during disuse than males thus emphasizing the need for more studies that will assess male and female animals concomitantly to develop tailored, effective countermeasures for all astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Mortreux
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Megan E. Rosa‐Caldwell
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ian D. Stiehl
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Physics and AstronomyDartmouth CollegeHanoverNew HampshireUSA
| | - Dong‐Min Sung
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nicholas T. Thomas
- Department of Athletic Training and Clinical NutritionUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Christopher S. Fry
- Department of Athletic Training and Clinical NutritionUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Seward B. Rutkove
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Chemotherapy-Induced Myopathy: The Dark Side of the Cachexia Sphere. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143615. [PMID: 34298829 PMCID: PMC8304349 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In addition to cancer-related factors, anti-cancer chemotherapy treatment can drive life-threatening body wasting in a syndrome known as cachexia. Emerging evidence has described the impact of several key chemotherapeutic agents on skeletal muscle in particular, and the mechanisms are gradually being unravelled. Despite this evidence, there remains very little research regarding therapeutic strategies to protect muscle during anti-cancer treatment and current global grand challenges focused on deciphering the cachexia conundrum fail to consider this aspect—chemotherapy-induced myopathy remains very much on the dark side of the cachexia sphere. This review explores the impact and mechanisms of, and current investigative strategies to protect against, chemotherapy-induced myopathy to illuminate this serious issue. Abstract Cancer cachexia is a debilitating multi-factorial wasting syndrome characterised by severe skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunction (i.e., myopathy). In the oncology setting, cachexia arises from synergistic insults from both cancer–host interactions and chemotherapy-related toxicity. The majority of studies have surrounded the cancer–host interaction side of cancer cachexia, often overlooking the capability of chemotherapy to induce cachectic myopathy. Accumulating evidence in experimental models of cachexia suggests that some chemotherapeutic agents rapidly induce cachectic myopathy, although the underlying mechanisms responsible vary between agents. Importantly, we highlight the capacity of specific chemotherapeutic agents to induce cachectic myopathy, as not all chemotherapies have been evaluated for cachexia-inducing properties—alone or in clinically compatible regimens. Furthermore, we discuss the experimental evidence surrounding therapeutic strategies that have been evaluated in chemotherapy-induced cachexia models, with particular focus on exercise interventions and adjuvant therapeutic candidates targeted at the mitochondria.
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