Objectives
Osteosarcopenia, defined by the simultaneous loss of bone and muscle mass, is a growing complication in chronic liver disease (CLD) that worsens frailty, fracture risk, and clinical outcomes. However, its nutritional and molecular drivers remain poorly understood. This scoping review examines the prevalence and clinical impact of osteosarcopenia in CLD and explores underlying nutritional and metabolic pathways to identify modifiable dietary targets for prevention and treatment.
Material and methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to May 2025. Twenty-six eligible studies were included: seven focused on prevalence and outcomes, and nineteen investigated nutrient-related mechanisms. Thematic synthesis was guided by PRISMA-ScR methodology.
Results
Osteosarcopenia affects up to 20% of individuals with CLD and is independently associated with increased frailty, fractures, and mortality. Pathophysiological drivers include amino acid depletion, vitamin D deficiency, bile acid-related malabsorption, and endocrine dysregulation (e.g., reduced IGF-1, elevated myostatin). Inflammatory and oxidative pathways mediated by TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB further promote musculoskeletal catabolism. Nutrients such as leucine, arginine, glutamine, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and gut-derived short-chain fatty acids modulate critical anabolic and anti-catabolic pathways, including the mTORC1, Wnt/β-catenin, SIRT1/PGC-1α, and Nrf2 pathways.
Conclusion
Osteosarcopenia in CLD is not merely a secondary consequence of malnutrition but a distinct, nutritionally modifiable syndrome driven by disrupted inter-organ crosstalk. Dietary interventions targeting gut-muscle-bone-liver axes could represent safe, scalable, and cost-effective strategies to mitigate musculoskeletal decline in CLD. Integrating nutrition into hepatology care is a critical priority to enhance patient resilience, independence, and survival.
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