Sex differences in cancer cachexia-induced cardiomyopathy
Most of the published literature using pre-clinical models of cachexia focus on male mice, despite evidence of significant weight loss and muscle wasting in female mice as well. Some evidence suggests the female sex may confer some protection against cachexia. However, to what extent this holds true in cardiac tissue, and what mechanisms drive this protection, is unknown.
Graphics obtained from Freepik
Metabolism in cachectic hearts
Cachexia is associated with systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, adipose delipidation, and muscle proteolysis. Evidence also suggests mitochondria in skeletal muscle do not function properly. The heart is a highly metabolically active organ contributing significantly to basal energy expenditure. It has a constant need for ATP, and cachexia significantly alters whole body metabolism and substrate availability. To understand how these metabolic changes affect the heart, we are probing questions to better understand the efficiency of cardiac energy production and what substrates it is using.
Graphics obtained from Freepik
Effects of obesity on cachexia-induced cardiomyopathy
Nearly three out of four Americans are considered overweight or obese. As a result, many people with a cancer diagnosis have above normal BMIs. Clinical literature shows that overweight patients are not immune to muscle wasting resulting from cancer. How excess fat mass alters the pathogenesis of cachexia (whether it is protective or detrimental and how) is unknown. In addition, obesity increases risk for cardiovascular disease. How obesity in the context of cachexia affects cardiac function and metabolism is a question we are pursuing.