Why do people waste differently on dialysis? Important insights from other chronic diseases with a focus on microRNAs.

Premature muscle tiring (fatigue) is an important complication of advanced kidney disease, and results in a reduced ability to walk and exercise. As patients move from pre-dialysis care to dialysis, they begin to lose their residual kidney function and experience muscle wasting. Not all patients on dialysis are affected equally by the loss of muscle mass, and the effect of dialysis mode (peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis) on muscle wasting is not known. This review will explore molecular mechanisms relevant to muscle wasting in end-stage kidney disease and in particular address some important insights into the emerging role of microRNAs in regulating the wasting response in individuals with chronic disease.