What is Atrophy? Types - Cachexia

Summary

This video explains the concept of atrophy, which refers to the partial or complete wasting of tissue or an organ due to cell degeneration. It covers various types of atrophy, including physiological, pathological, local, and disuse atrophy, with examples such as the loss of ductus arteriosis in the fetus and brain shrinkage with aging. The video also explores the causes of atrophy, such as poor circulation, disuse, and hormonal changes, and introduces CIA (wasting syndrome), which causes muscle atrophy and fatigue, even with increased nutritional intake. Conditions like cancer, AIDS, and chronic diseases are commonly associated with CIA.

Takeaways

• 😀 Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting of a tissue or organ due to cell degeneration.
• 😀 There are different types of atrophy: physiological, pathological, local, and disuse.
• 😀 Physiological atrophy occurs when well-developed structures are no longer needed at certain stages in life, such as the loss of ductus arteriosis in the fetus.
• 😀 Pathological atrophy is caused by some form of pathology, like brain shrinkage due to aging.
• 😀 Local atrophy often occurs due to poor circulation or lack of blood flow in a specific region of the body.
• 😀 Disuse atrophy happens when cells in an organ degenerate due to a lack of use.
• 😀 During atrophy, the size of cells decreases due to lower metabolism rates and decreased protein synthesis.
• 😀 Atrophic cells have fewer structural proteins, fewer mitochondria, less endoplasmic reticulum, and are more likely to undergo apoptosis.
• 😀 The main causes of atrophy include decreased workload, poor nourishment, poor circulation, hormonal loss, nerve supply loss, and disuse.
• 😀 Wasting syndrome (CIA) is characterized by weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite, and occurs even with increased nutritional intake.
• 😀 CIA is commonly associated with conditions like cancer, AIDS, celiac disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, congestive heart failure, and multiple sclerosis.

Q & A

What is atrophy?

Atrophy refers to the partial or complete wastage of a tissue or organ due to the degeneration of cells.

What are the different types of atrophy mentioned in the script?

The types of atrophy discussed are physiological atrophy, pathological atrophy, local atrophy, and disuse atrophy.

What is physiological atrophy, and can you provide an example?

Physiological atrophy occurs when certain structures that are well-developed and necessary at certain life stages become unnecessary later on, causing them to break down. An example is the loss of ductus arteriosis in the fetus.

What causes pathological atrophy?

Pathological atrophy is caused by some form of pathology, such as the shrinkage of the brain with aging.

What is local atrophy, and how is it typically caused?

Local atrophy occurs in a specific region of the body, often due to poor circulation or lack of blood flow.

How does disuse atrophy occur?

Disuse atrophy occurs when cells in an organ degenerate because the organ is not being used, leading to decreased metabolic activity and protein synthesis.

What happens to the cells during atrophy?

During atrophy, the size of the cells decreases due to lower metabolic rates and decreased protein synthesis. These cells typically have fewer mitochondria, less endoplasmic reticulum, and may undergo apoptosis.

What are the common causes of atrophy?

Common causes of atrophy include decreased workload, poor nourishment, poor circulation, mutations, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply, and disuse.

What is wasting syndrome (CIA), and what are its symptoms?

Wasting syndrome, also known as CIA (Cachexia-Inflammatory Atrophy), is characterized by weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. Notably, even with increased nutritional intake, the loss of body mass continues.

Which conditions are commonly associated with wasting syndrome?

Wasting syndrome can occur in conditions such as cancer, AIDS, celiac disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and multiple sclerosis.