Beta-blockade guards burn victims’ muscle
By Ben Harder
A medication that reduces the risk of heart attack also can diminish a muscle-wasting metabolic response common among victims of severe trauma or illness, researchers have discovered by studying young burn patients.
In the aftermath of injuries or burns or during serious illnesses, victims typically exhibit higher metabolism, rapid protein breakdown, and difficulty making new muscle tissue. Even with plenty of nutrition, severely injured or ill patients can suffer metabolic breakdown of muscle mass, or muscle catabolism. During prolonged recoveries, patients can catabolize up to one-tenth of their muscle mass despite putting on weight.