Kaauh - Biobank

Cachexia and Sarcopenia

Cachexia and Sarcopenia are two debilitating conditions that are prevalent among the aging population globally, including Saudi Arabia. Cachexia refers to the involuntary loss of muscle mass and body weight, often associated with chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS, while sarcopenia refers to the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. As Saudi Arabia’s population ages, the prevalence of these conditions is expected increase, leading to a significant burden on the health care system and a decline in the quality of life of for affected individuals. Therefore, it is imperative that both cachexia and sarcopenia be a part of the research focus area for researchers in Saudi Arabia.

Project Title: Pathological Changes In Skeletal Muscle Throughout The Cancer Trajectory (A multi-center study)

PI: Dr. Alaa A. Al-Masud and Prof. Nasser A. Alsanea

Affiliation: Research Department, Tissue Biobank Section, Health Science Research Center, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Co- I (s): Raha Alahmadi, Alaa Abdul Jabbar, Maha H. Abdulla, Suliman A. Alshammari, Omar Al-Obeed, Abdullah S. AlHudaib, Hanan A. Henidi, Shaima A. Alothman, Abdullah F. Alghnnam, Mohammad A. Alkheilewi, Omar S. Aldibasi, Ahmad M. Zubaidi, Khayal A. Alkhayal

Project Summary: High resolution image-based techniques such as computed tomography [CT] have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of body composition in relation to human health. This technology has been recently applied to cancer patients and has revealed a high prevalence of sarcopenia [low muscle mass] and pathological fat accumulation in muscle [myosteatosis]. Pathological fat deposition within skeletal muscle is a feature of disease-induced muscle loss that is significantly associated with poor outcome and shorter survival in people with cancer. Unfortunately, little is known about this phenomenon in a Middle Eastern population. The current study aims to characterize sarcopenia and myosteatosis in cancer patients who have a gastrointestinal or Hepatobiliary tumor through the determination of adipose tissue deposition within skeletal muscle over time utilizing sequential [serial] CT images performed during a patient treatment plan and follow up. Second, skeletal muscle samples from the anterior abdominal wall will be obtained from a sample of 34 patients who have undergone surgical resection of their tumors. Proportion of adipocytes, myocytes, total fat and fatty acid composition, muscle stem cells, adipokines, myokines and inflammatory markers will be measured. Control samples will be obtained from healthy participants and patients undergoing bariatric surgery.