Voluntary wheel running complements microdystrophin gene therapy to improve muscle function in mdx mice.

ABSTRACT: We tested the hypothesis that voluntary wheel running would complement microdystrophin gene therapy to improve muscle function in young mdx mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. mdx mice injected with a single dose of AAV9-CK8-microdystrophin or vehicle at age 7 weeks were assigned to three groups: mdxRGT (run, gene therapy), mdxGT (no run, gene therapy), or mdx (no run, no gene therapy). Wild-type (WT) mice were assigned to WTR (run) and WT (no run) groups. WTR and mdxRGT performed voluntary wheel running for 21 weeks; remaining groups were cage active. Robust expression of microdystrophin occurred in heart and limb muscles of treated mice. mdxRGT versus mdxGT mice showed increased microdystrophin in quadriceps but decreased levels in diaphragm. mdx final treadmill fatigue time wa

SUBMITTER: Hamm SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8020351 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature