Potential mechanisms of cachexia
Energy imbalance |
Increased work of breathing |
Inefficient metabolism (fibre type conversion to type II) |
Anorexia |
Disuse atrophy of muscles |
Hypoxaemia |
Systemic inflammation |
Tumour necrosis factor-α |
Interleukin-1β and -6 |
C-reactive protein |
Reactive oxygen species |
Hormonal insufficiency |
Growth hormone |
Testosterone |
Insulin-like growth factor |
Leptin |
Sympathetic activation (pro-inflammatory) |
Accelerated ageing |