Evaluation of Fibrosis and Histopathological Changes in the Psoas Muscle with E- Cadherin, Claudin-5 Expression and Demographic Data: An Autopsy Study

Abstract

Aim: It is known that muscle mass decreases with age. Sometimes it may be possible to adversely affect this reduction. It was aimed to investigate the contribution of claudin-5 and E-cadherin to this process. Methods: Samples were taken from the psoas muscle of 55 cases autopsied for different reasons between 2018-2019. Age, gender, weight, height, chronic disease, and addiction were recorded. Histopathological degeneration parameters were evaluated. In addition, samples were prepared for immunohistochemical study. Evaluation for E-cadherin and claudin-5; no staining, weak staining, moderate staining and severe staining. Fibrosis was evaluated with Masson trichrome. Results: There was a very strong and statistically significant inverse relationship between acidophilic sarcoplasma and staining with claudin-5 (p<0.01). There was also a strong positive correlation between cellular fatty cell degeneration status and staining with claudin-5 (p=0.04). No correlation could be established between sociodemographic characteristics of the cases and staining with claudin-5 and E-cadherin, nor could there be a correlation between staining with E-cadherin and staining with claudin-5 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Claudin-5 can be a target protein that can be used in the detection and prophylaxis of degeneration and atrophy in striated muscles.