Work

Unacylated ghrelin counteracts mitochondrial dysfunction and neuromuscular junction disruption in cancer cachexia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Unacylated ghrelin prevents muscle wasting and maintains neuromuscular junction integrity and contractile function in cancer cachexia. It enhances mitochondrial respiratory capacity through elevated mitochondrial DNA copy number while limiting DNA mutation. It reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation, oxidative stress, and proteasome-mediated proteolysis-driven muscle degradation.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00917.2025

Authors: Bumsoo Ahn, Jonathan Wanagat, Caroline Cleary, Hannah C. Ainsworth, Hyunyoung Kim

Institutions: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Language: English

Topic: Muscle Physiology and Disorders

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging