[Pathogenesis of several forms of progressive muscular dystrophy]

The level of cyclic 3,5-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), the activity of adenylate cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) were studied in bioptates of the muscles of 17 patients with different forms of myopathy. The cAMP level and AC activity were decreased while that of PDE was increased. These changes are particularly demonstrative in patients with Erba type of myopathy. It is recommended that beta-adrenomimetic drugs and PDE inhibitors may be tried in pathogenetic therapy.