Effect of zinc-carnosine chelate compound on muscle function in mdx mouse

The effect of antioxidant Z-103, catena-(S)-[mu-[N(alpha)-(3-aminopropinyl)histidinnato-(2-)N(1),N(2),O:N(tau)]-zinc], on muscle function in the muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse was examined by repetitive intraperitoneal administration in subjects aged 4 to 12 weeks. Z-103 administration at a dose of 150 mg/kg increased the load resistant time (LRT), during which the animal with a load holds itself upright on a wire net. The Z-103 administration reduced hypertrophy, the ratio of centronucleated myofibers, and the rate of decay for magnitude of twitch force elicited by 0.5 Hz of electricity to the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of 12-week-old mdx mice, with little effect on the magnitude of twitch force. The administration of Z-103 (100 mg/kg) had a lesser effect on LRT and the other characteristics examined for EDL muscles. The constituent of Z-103, Zn(2+) applied in the form of ZnSO(4) (5 mg/kg), carnosine (100 mg/kg), and the combination of the two had no beneficial effect on mdx mice. Z-103 (150 mg/kg) administered to normal mice increased LRT with little effect on the contractile properties of EDL muscles. These results suggest that the administration of Z-103 ameliorates muscle function in the mdx mouse.