Xanthine oxidase inhibitor in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The treatment with xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol, was evaluated in 17 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (aged 2 years 9 months to 13 years 9 months) using the double blind technique. The total observed period was 27 months. The results of 100-point scale of graded functional abilities revealed that an improvement, unchange and progression of dysfunction were found in 2, 2 and 6 patients, respectively, in allopurinol group and in 0, 2 and 5 patients, respectively in placebo group. The patients' age and stage of the disease seemed to be related to the effectiveness or allopurinol treatment.