Mechanism of protein-anabolic resistance leading to decreased skeletal muscle mass in elderly sepsis

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2096-1537.2026.01.016

Abstract

Abstract:

The decline of skeletal muscle mass is one of the serious complications of sepsis. It is characterized by the weakend muscle strength, reduced fiber cross-sectional area and dismished muscle quantity. It manifests as flaccid weakness in the limbs, particularly in the proximal limb muscles. Meanwhile, it will affect the prognosis of patients, especially elderly patients, leading to their reduced quality of life and life safety risk. The anabolic resistance in sepsis patients leads to the disruption of the balance between protein synthesis and breakdown, manifested as increased protein catabolism and decreased anabolism, which is one of the main reasons for the decline of skeletal muscle mass. At present, the relevant research on skeletal muscle catabolism in sepsis is relatively well estabished, and protein-anabolic resistance has become an issue of increasing concern. Therefore, we review the correlative mechanisms between protein-anabolic resistance and the decline of skeletal muscle mass in sepsis, aiming to provide theoretical basis and solutions for the clinical prevention and treatment of the skeletal muscle loss in sepsis patients.

Key words: Elderly sepsis, Skeletal muscle mass, Protein-anabolic resistance

Jinyuan Li, Hanyu Mai, Kai Chen, Wenyan Zhou, Jijia Bai, Xiangyuan Cao, Huan Ding. Mechanism of protein-anabolic resistance leading to decreased skeletal muscle mass in elderly sepsis[J]. Chinese Journal of Critical Care & Intensive Care Medicine(Electronic Edition), 2026, 12(01): 109-116.

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URL: https://icu.cma-cmc.com.cn/EN/10.3877/cma.j.issn.2096-1537.2026.01.016

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