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Disodium cromoglycate protects dystrophin‐deficient muscle fibers from leakiness
Author(s) -
Marques Maria Julia,
Machado Rafael Ventura,
Minatel Elaine,
Neto Humberto Santo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20892
Subject(s) - sarcolemma , dystrophin , duchenne muscular dystrophy , myofibril , anatomy , chemistry , medicine , muscular dystrophy , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , pathology
In dystrophin‐deficient fibers of mdx mice and in Duchenne dystrophy, the lack of dystrophin leads to sarcolemma breakdown and muscle degeneration. We verified that cromolyn, a mast‐cell stabilizer agent, stabilized dystrophic muscle fibers using Evans blue dye as a marker of sarcolemma leakiness. Mdx mice ( n = 8; 14 days of age) received daily intraperitoneal injections of cromolyn (50 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days. Untreated mdx mice ( n = 8) were injected with saline. Cryostat cross‐sections of the sternomastoid, tibialis anterior, and diaphragm muscles were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Cromolyn dramatically reduced Evans blue dye–positive fibers in all muscles ( P < 0.05; Student's t ‐test) and led to a significant increase in the percentage of fibers with peripheral nuclei. This study supports the protective effects of cromolyn in dystrophic muscles and further indicates its action against muscle fiber leakiness in muscles that are differently affected by the lack of dystrophin. Muscle Nerve, 2007