Silybin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent in cancer cachexia

慢性疾病（如癌症）中的无意体重减轻（恶病质）可导致 生活质量恶化，对治疗缺乏反应，最终死亡。癌症恶病质是 其特征在于全身性炎症、肌肉和脂肪损失以及身体功能降低。组织 在癌症恶病质患者中观察到纤维化或瘢痕形成。肌肉纤维化是最常见的 在因肌病、神经肌肉疾病、 疾病、创伤和肌肉减少症。阻断恶病质前期和恶病质中的炎症和纤维化 阶段对积极影响肌肉健康、运动和表现至关重要。西利宾， 药用植物水飞蓟的活性化合物已经显示出抗炎和抗纤维化 心脏和肝脏疾病的特性。由于没有批准的治疗癌症恶病质和 水飞蓟宾与改善恶病质相关因素有关，我们建议评估是否 水飞蓟宾减少骨骼肌纤维化。此外，我们将确定TGF-β 1是否参与启动或 维持肌肉质量和功能的损失。我们的发现可能会导致一种新的 机制和预防和/或治疗恶病质的新策略。

Unintentional body weight loss (cachexia) in chronic diseases, such as cancer can lead to the deterioration of quality of life, lack of response to treatment, and ultimately death. Cancer cachexia is characterized by systemic inflammation, muscle and fat loss, and reduced physical function. Tissue fibrosis or scarring has been observed in cancer cachectic patients. Muscle fibrosis is one of the most consistent findings among people with reduced muscle function due to myopathies, neuromuscular disorders, trauma, and sarcopenia. Blocking inflammation and fibrosis in the pre-cachectic and cachectic stages is critical to positively impact muscle health, locomotion, and performance. Silybin, one of the active compounds of the medicinal plant Silybum marianum has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in cardiac and liver disorders. Since there are no approved therapies for cancer cachexia and silybin has been associated to improve factors associated with cachexia, we propose to assess whether silybin reduces skeletal muscle fibrosis. Furthermore, we will determine if TGF-􀈕 is involved in initiating or maintaining loss of muscle mass and function. Our findings could lead to the discovery of a new mechanism and novel strategies to prevent and/or treat cachexia.