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Does muscular dystrophy affect metabolic rate? A study in mdx mice
E E Dupont-Versteegden1, R A Baldwin, R J McCarter
1Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7756.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Muscular dystrophy in young mdx mice leads to decreased whole-body metabolic rate and physical activity. Adult mdx mice show no metabolic differences, suggesting degeneration does not increase energy expenditure.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness.
- The mdx mouse is a widely used model for studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- Metabolic alterations in muscular dystrophy are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic consequences of muscular dystrophy in the mdx mouse model.
- To compare metabolic rate and physical activity in young and adult mdx mice versus controls.
- To assess muscle oxygen consumption in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Whole-body metabolic rate (MR) measured via O2 consumption and CO2 production over 24 hours.
- Physical activity monitored simultaneously with MR.
- In vitro oxygen consumption of isolated soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles.
Main Results:
- Young mdx mice exhibited significantly decreased MR, food consumption, and physical activity compared to young controls.
- No significant differences in MR or physical activity were observed between adult mdx and control mice.
- Adult mdx EDL muscles showed reduced oxygen consumption compared to controls; young muscles did not differ.
Conclusions:
- Muscular dystrophy in mdx mice leads to reduced energy metabolism primarily due to decreased physical activity.
- The study suggests that muscle degeneration and regeneration in muscular dystrophy do not inherently increase whole-body metabolic rate.
- Metabolic changes are age-dependent in the mdx mouse model.