The relationship between sarcopenia and serum irisin and TNF-[alpha] levels in newly diagnosed cancer patients

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer 2023-10, Vol.31 (10)
• Main Authors: Demir, Leyla, Oflazoglu, Utku
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Cancer patients; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzymes; Muscles; Oncology, Experimental; Physiological aspects; Sarcopenia; Tumor necrosis factor; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 0941-4355
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08041-6

Objective Sarcopenia in patients with cancer makes patients physically weak and adversely affects their compliance with treatment. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sarcopenia in patients with cancer and circulating irisin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[alpha]) levels. Material and method A total of 141 patients with different types of newly diagnosed cancer were divided into two groups, sarcopenia (n = 72) and non-sarcopenia (n = 69) groups. The body compositions of the patients were measured using bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and muscle strength using hand grip strength (HGS) tests. Serum irisin and TNF-[alpha] levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In our study, serum irisin levels were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.01) and TNF-[alpha] levels were found to be significantly higher (p = 0.014) in the sarcopenia group. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and HGS values and serum irisin levels were positively correlated [(r: 0.451, p < 0.001), (r: 0.469, p < 0.001)], and SMI and HGS values and serum TNF-[alpha] levels were negatively correlated [(r: -0.181, p = 0.032) and (r: -0.143, p = 0.090), respectively]. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum irisin and TNF-[alpha] levels were independent predictors of sarcopenia. Conclusion Serum irisin levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with cancer with sarcopenia, and TNF-[alpha] levels were found to be significantly higher. These two markers can be used as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in patients with cancer. The efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of irisin and TNF-[alpha] in the diagnosis of sarcopenia should be investigated with larger patient groups.