What is it about?
Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. This leads to impaired physical function, a reduced quality of life and poor clinical outcomes. It often develops alongside liver cirrhosis, which is characterized by portal hypertension and liver dysfunction. Our study explores the relationship between isolated portal hypertension and the development of sarcopenia.
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Why is it important?
Using a rat model of portal vein ligation, we demonstrated that sarcopenia can develop as a result of portal hypertension alone, irrespective of liver dysfunction. Hyperammonemia may be a key mediator in the progression from portal hypertension to muscle loss. These findings broaden the traditional view of sarcopenia development and support the earlier screening of patients with compensated cirrhosis and pre-hepatic portal hypertension.
Perspectives
This was my first experimental study, and I am very grateful to my colleagues who supported this idea and helped to bring it to life. As a clinician, I frequently observe sarcopenia in conjunction with hepatic encephalopathy and hyperammonemia in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. At the same time, I also see patients with non-cirrhotic, non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis who have preserved liver function but still develop sarcopenia. This experimental study provided evidence that portal hypertension alone may be sufficient to induce sarcopenia. Further research could explore the broader spectrum of mediators involved in sarcopenia in portal hypertension, as well as its potential management.
Maria Nadinskaia
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sarcopenia modelling by portal vein ligation inducing hyperammonemia in rats, PLOS One, November 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0337178.
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