Molecular-based therapeutic approaches in treatment of anorexia of aging and cancer cachexia.
Loss of appetite, or anorexia, has profound implications for older persons, altering social interactions, reducing quality of life, and leading to weight loss with grave health consequences. Two conditions associated with anorexia considered in this article are the multidetermined anorexia of aging and the wasting syndrome termed cachexia induced by cancer. Nutritional interventions may have some benefit in the former, but are of limited value in the latter. Emerging studies at the molecular level relating to appetite regulation and energy balance may offer new approaches to arrest progressive weight loss in the anorexia of aging and cancer cachexia.
Hamerman
David
D
Resnick Gerontology Center, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467, USA. Hamermandj@aol.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D018529:Nutritional Support; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*