Effects of lactone I from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz on cytokines and proteolysis-inducing factors in cachectic cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of lactone I from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (LAMK I) on the cytokines and proteolysis-inducing factors (PIF) in cachectic cancer patients. METHOD: Sixty-four cachectic cancer patients were randomized into two groups, namely LAMK I group and FOE (fish oil-enriched nutritional supplementation) treatment group. The appetite, body weight changes, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and KPS scores were recorded 3 and 7 weeks after the treatment. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the changes in the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and Western blotting employed to examine the changes of PIF after the treatment. RESULTS: The patients' appetite and MAMC in LAMKI group was better than those of patients in FOE group, and the serum IL-1 and TNF-alpha levels and urine PIF level were significantly lower than those of FOE group. Body weight and serum IL-6 level were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Lactone I from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz can be beneficial for treating cancer cachexia.