Sarcopenia Susceptibility in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating the Impact of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors

Abstract

Background: Dysfunction of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway by mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) may contribute to sarcopenia in addition to metabolic factors and infammation. Our study aimed to investigate the association of mTOR inhibitors with sarcopenia ın KTRs treated with and without mTOR inhibitors. Methods: The study included 22 KTRs who had been on mTOR inhibitors for at least 6 months and 51 KTRs who had never been on mTOR inhibitors. Handgrip strength (HGS) was used to test muscle strength. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and muscle ultrasonography (US) were used to determine muscle mass. Results: The study population’s mean age was 39.05 ± 13.29 years, and 41.1% of the participants were female. One out of every 3 patients was under treatment with mTOR inhibitors, either everolimus or sirolimus. Sarcopenia was found in 32.9% of the whole population, according to EWGSOP2 criteria. There was no diference in the prevalence of sarcopenia (P = .68) and its components (P > .05) between the mTOR-inhibitor-using and mTOR-inhibitor-free groups. In regression analysis, mTOR inhibitors were not associated with sarcopenia (P = .68). Conclusion: Muscular strength, mass, and physical performance did not difer between the mTOR-inhibitor-using and mTOR-inhibitor-free groups, implying that changes in molecular pathways may not necessarily translate into clinical manifestations in real life.