Therapeutic strategy for cachexia in chronic kidney disease

Purpose of review This review will provide an update on advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and novel therapeutic approach to cachexia in chronic kidney disease. Recent findings Recent studies examine the metabolic effects of nutritional supplementation and show short-term salutary effects. Studies on peripheral hormones involved in energy homeostasis and their hypothalamic signaling in the pathophysiology of uremic cachexia have led to potential novel therapeutic strategies. Summary Most of the information on therapeutic strategy for cachexia of chronic kidney disease is currently at the experimental level and awaits confirmation by clinical trials. The few available clinical studies are preliminary and have the limitation of not having a randomized placebo-controlled group. Further long-term well designed studies to assess the clinical applicability as well as side-effects are needed before these therapeutic strategies can be recommended for treatment of cachexia in chronic kidney disease.