The Impact of Protein Supplementation Targeted at Improving Muscle Mass on Strength in Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Deterioration of muscle strength during cancer results in functional limitation, poor quality of life and reduced survival. The indirect effects on muscle strength of nutritional interventions based on protein and amino acid derivatives targeted at improving muscle mass are poorly documented. A scoping review was performed to examine the available evidence on the effects of proteins, amino acids and their derivatives on muscle strength in adult cancer patients. Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched to identify research articles published in the last 10 years. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, showing that changes in muscle strength following protein or amino acid supplementation are generally concordant with those in muscle mass in cancer patients. Administration of both energy and proteins in the presence of reduced oral intakes results in more robust effects on both muscle strength and mass. It is not clear whether this is due to the correction of the energy deficit or to an interaction between proteins and other macronutrients. The optimal mixture, type, and dose of amino acid/protein supplementation alone or in combination with other anabolic strategies should be determined to provide the best nutritional approach in cancer.

Preserved Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function, Redox State, Inflammation and Mass in Obese Mice with Chronic Heart Failure

“…Second, we did not measure muscle function parameters. While skeletal muscle mass and function are generally related, changes in one parameter following specific interventions do not necessarily predict the other, since function may be affected by altered neuromuscular signaling and muscle contractile quality [72,73]. We therefore cannot assume proportional changes occurring in muscle function and mass in the current model; skeletal muscle mass preservation has however independent clinical relevance, based on previous demonstrations that muscle mass loss per se is associated with negative outcomes in CHF patients [65] as well as other disease conditions [66,67].…”

IGF-1 Signaling Regulates Mitochondrial Remodeling during Myogenic Differentiation

“…Thus, it comes as no surprise that excessive muscle loss (muscle atrophy) is an important clinical feature in many diseases such as cancer, chronic liver and lung diseases, spinal cord disease, and infections [ 2 , 3 ]. The existence of muscle stem cells endows skeletal muscle the capacity of regeneration, so stimulation of postnatal muscle regeneration has become an important strategy to treat atrophying muscle [ 4 ].…”

The importance of protein sources to support muscle anabolism in cancer: An expert group opinion

“…The impact of protein on muscle strength is also an important consideration in cancer given that muscle weakness can occur without loss of muscle mass [31]. A review that focused on nutritional interventions for muscle strength in cancer found no studies that compared plant-with animal-based diet interventions [111]. Clinical trials related to protein source and muscle anabolism in cancer primarily focused on MPS and MPB rather than whole-body lean mass response and its impact on clinical outcomes.…”