Anti‐sarcopenic effects of diamino‐diphenyl sulfone observed in elderly female leprosy survivors: a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIt has been reported that 4,4′‐diamino‐diphenyl sulfone (DDS), the longtime treatment of choice for leprosy, prolongs the lifespan and increases mobility in animal models by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species and inhibiting muscle pyruvate kinase activity. This study aimed to investigate whether sarcopenic status in leprosy survivors was influenced by recent history of DDS medication.MethodsForty‐one elderly female leprosy survivors were recruited. The DDS group was defined as survivors who had been taking the drug for the past year or more. Body composition measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, limb muscle strength, short physical performance battery, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Korean were compared.ResultsThe DDS group tended to have higher skeletal muscle mass index (24.4 ± 2.7 vs. 22.6 ± 2.2%, P = 0.066) and regional skeletal muscle mass index in non‐dominant leg (8.9 ± 1.0 vs. 7.9 ± 0.9%, P = 0.018) than those of the control group although they had significantly worse leprosy disability than the control group (P = 0.027). The DDS group had greater strength than the control group in non‐dominant shoulder abductor, elbow flexor, hip flexor, and knee extensor (P = 0.005, P = 0.029, P = 0.021, and P = 0.002, respectively). Weekly walking amount was significantly longer (P = 0.020) in the DDS group than the control group. The total lifetime DDS exposure significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass of the lower extremity in non‐dominant leg (r = 0.379, P = 0.015).ConclusionsDDS‐taking leprosy survivors had larger skeletal muscle mass and greater muscle strength over non‐taking survivors. There was a dose–response relationship between total lifetime DDS exposure and skeletal muscle mass of lower extremity. These findings might suggest potential anti‐sarcopenic effects of DDS.

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in sarcopenia

“…The results from a randomized controlled trial of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on physical function involving 130 older patients with impairment of daily activities suggest a beneficial effect of ACE inhibitors in sarcopenia [91] . In a recent study, leprosy survivors who had taken 4,4′-diamino-diphenyl sulfone showed greater skeletal muscle mass and strength than those who had not taken the drug [92] . This result suggests that drug repurposing is a new strategy for the therapeutic approach of sarcopenia.…”

Contemporary publication patterns in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle by type and sub‐speciality: facts and numbers

“…[57][58][59][60][61][62][63] As befits a series of fields that are relatively new and not the main speciality of many practitioners, there was a large number of informative review articles, 64-71 as well as the emergence of reports on patient groups, commentaries, and political campaigns. [57][58][59][60][61][62][63] As befits a series of fields that are relatively new and not the main speciality of many practitioners, there was a large number of informative review articles, 64-71 as well as the emergence of reports on patient groups, commentaries, and political campaigns.…”

“…Detailed pathophysiology was the subject of many reports into what happens in specific cachexia syndromes [50][51][52][53][54][55][56] and in other non-cancer-related cachexia and sarcopenia syndromes. [57][58][59][60][61][62][63] As befits a series of fields that are relatively new and not the main speciality of many practitioners, there was a large number of informative review articles, [64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] as well as the emergence of reports on patient groups, commentaries, and political campaigns. 72…”

“…We conducted an analysis of the types of publications in the respective medical sub-specialities that this major cachexia focussed journal, JCSM, has published in the last three calendar years and analysed trends within each sub-discipline. [57][58][59][60][61][62][63] As befits a series of fields that are relatively new and not the main speciality of many practitioners, there was a large number of informative review articles, 64-71 as well as the emergence of reports on patient groups, commentaries, and political campaigns. Furthermore, they are classified into the major medical sub-specialities (including ageing) or are considered multidisciplinary if applicable across a range of specialities.…”

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in cachexia‐related genes: Can they optimize the treatment of cancer cachexia?

“…Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome, characterized by weight loss consisting of skeletal muscle loss and adipose tissue wasting, leading to poor outcomes . There are no established treatments for cancer cachexia, although recent pre‐clinical and clinical studies have shown the promising effects of several agents including ghrelin, myostatin/activin pathway antagonists, androgenic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators, megestrol acetate, trimetazidine, espindolol, and diamino‐diphenyl sulfone on muscle wasting.…”