Effect of a ghrelin receptor agonist on muscle and bone

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PROJECT SUMMARY Adults with both osteopenia and sarcopenia (osteosarcopenia) have greater risk of falls and fractures than those with osteopenia or sarcopenia alone. Drugs are available to reduce fracture risk but currently exercise is the only effective strategy to combat muscle loss. Unfortunately, the majority of adults who start a self- monitored exercise program drop out after 6 months and other options are needed. Ghrelin receptor agonists have been under development to treat anorexia and weight loss in patients with cancer cachexia. The agonist anamorelin has significantly increased weight and lean tissue mass in these patients. Anamorelin mimics the hormone ghrelin which not only increases apatite, but also acts on the pituitary to increase pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion. Pulsatile GH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 which is anabolic to both muscle and bone. GH levels decline with age and this is thought to contribute to the age-related muscle and bone losses in adults. Our central hypothesis is that anamorelin will increase muscle mass, improve muscle function, and increase bone formation in adults with osteosarcopenia. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct a randomized, double-blind, 2-armed, parallel-group intervention trial in 40 osteosarcopenic men and postmenopausal women age 50 and older. Participants will be randomized to anamorelin (100 mg per day) or placebo and treated for 12 months. The primary endpoint is increase in appendicular lean tissue mass measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Secondary endpoints are: increases in muscle strength (isometric leg strength) and function (6-minute walk and modified short physical performance battery), an increase in the bone formation biomarker, amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and an increase in total lean tissue mass. The proposed treatment supplies the anabolic stimulus to build both muscle and bone. Anamorelin has not been tested in adults with osteosarcopenia. We propose to evaluate this treatment in osteosarcopenic adults who are most in need of treatment and who are also most likely to benefit. Data obtained from this pilot study are critical to determine the feasibility and guide the design of a definitive trial to evaluate this ghrelin receptor agonist as potential therapy to mitigate the dual hazards of osteopenia and sarcopenia.