Association of serum myokine levels with rapid degeneration in skeletal muscle quality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

All body composition parameters and myokine levels were altered after allo-HSCT in univariate analysis.

• 53 patients who underwent allo-HSCT participated in this single-center prospective cohort study.
• Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) measuring skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW), and phase angle (PhA).
• Measurements were taken before and 4- and 8-weeks post-transplantation.
• Mixed-effect models for repeated measures and Tukey's method were used to analyze changes.

IGF-1 was significantly associated with multiple skeletal muscle quality and quantity parameters over time after allo-HSCT when adjusted for covariates.

• IGF-1 was significantly associated with SMI (P = 0.003).
• IGF-1 was significantly associated with ECW/TBW (P < 0.001).
• IGF-1 was significantly associated with PhA (P = 0.001).
• No interaction between time and IGF-1 levels was observed.

Myostatin was significantly associated with skeletal muscle mass index but not with other body composition parameters after adjustment for covariates.

• Myostatin was associated with SMI (P = 0.001).
• Myostatin was not found to be significantly associated with ECW/TBW or PhA.
• No interaction between time and myostatin levels was observed.

IGF-1 was identified as a biomarker potentially associated with adverse alterations in skeletal muscle quality following allo-HSCT.

• IGF-1 is described as a myokine derived from skeletal muscle contraction and a well-established biomarker of skeletal muscle mass.
• IGF-1 was associated with ECW/TBW and PhA, which are markers of skeletal muscle quality rather than quantity alone.
• The authors suggest IGF-1 may be useful for guiding interventions aimed at preserving muscle quality and function in allo-HSCT patients.

Allo-HSCT causes rapid deterioration of physical function including changes in skeletal muscle quantity and quality.

• The study assessed body composition at three time points: pre-transplantation and 4- and 8-weeks post-transplantation.
• Both skeletal muscle quantity (SMI) and quality markers (ECW/TBW and PhA) were measured to capture the multidimensional nature of muscle degeneration.
• Understanding associated biomarkers was identified as crucial given the rapid deterioration observed.