Tempol treatment shows phenotype improvement in mdx mice.

• Main Authors: Túlio de Almeida Hermes, Rafael Dias Mâncio, Aline Barbosa Macedo, Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti, Guilherme Luiz da Rocha, Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon, Elaine Minatel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2019-01-01
• Series: PLoS ONE
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215590

Considering potential Tempol effects on mdx muscle fibers, in this study we evaluated its effects on relevant dystrophic phenotypic characteristics, such as muscle degeneration, inflammatory process and angiogenesis, which as yet have not been investigated. Mdx mice were randomly assigned into three groups: mdxS, the control group receiving intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of saline solution (100μL); mdxP, positive control group receiving prednisolone (1mg/kg) by oral gavage; and mdxT, treated group receiving i.p. injections of tempol (100 mg/kg). C57BL/10 mice were also used as controls. Tempol treatment promoted gain in muscle strength and reduced myonecrosis and inflammatory response in the dystrophic diaphragm (DIA) and biceps brachii (BB) muscles. No evidence of Tempol's beneficial performance on angiogenesis in DIA and BB mdx muscles was found. The findings presented here show that Tempol treatment improves dystrophic phenotype, supporting its use as a potential therapeutic strategy in DMD.