Influence of oncostatin M and leukemia inhibitor factor on sarcopenia in individuals with cancer and malnutrition.

[OBJECTIVES] Oncostatin-M (OSM) and leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF) have shown relationship with muscle catabolism in Disease Related Malnutrition (DRM). We aimed to investigate the role of OSM and LIF in sarcopenia among patients with cancer and DRM.

[DESIGN AND METHODS] 33 cancer patients with DRM were included. Muscle mass assessment via ultrasound at the rectus femoris (RF) level, bioimpedance (skeletal muscle mass (SMM), appendicular SMM (aSMM), and the aSMM index (aSMMI)), and circulating OSM and LIF levels were evaluated. Confirmed sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the criteria of low muscle strength combined with an abnormal aSMMI.

[RESULTS] The average age was 66.5±15.5 years. The gender distribution was 16 females (48.5%) and 17 males (51.5%). Sixteen patients (48.5%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia showed worse values: phase angle (-0.4±0.1°; p=0.01), reactance (-4.9±1.8Ω; p=0.03), SMM (-2.0±0.3kg; p=0.03), aSMM (-1.6±0.2kg; p=0.03), aSMMI (-0.6±0.2kg/m; p=0.02), muscle area RF (-0.7±0.2cm; p=0.04), Y-axis RF (-0.4±0.1cm; p=0.03), muscle strength (-8.1±1.5kg; p=0.01) and albumin levels (-0.3±0.1g/dl; p=0.03). Circulating levels of OSM and LIF were elevated in patients with sarcopenia, with values of 10.6±1.3pg/ml (p=0.01) and 6.4±2.3pg/ml (p=0.02), respectively. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant OR (odds ratio) of sarcopenia associated with elevated median levels of OSM (OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.4-9.9; p=0.01) and LIF-1 (OR=3.3, 95% CI=1.3-10.1; p=0.01) CONCLUSION: High levels of serum OSM and LIF-1 were closely associated with sarcopenia in patients with cancer and DRM.