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Voluntary exercise induces structural remodeling in the hearts of dystrophin‐deficient mice
Author(s) -
Costas Jeffrey M.,
Nye David J.,
Henley Jessica B.,
Plochocki Jeffrey H.
Publication year - 2010
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.21783
Subject(s) - dystrophin , medicine , trichrome stain , ventricle , ventricular remodeling , fibrosis , endocrinology , cardiology , masson's trichrome stain , duchenne muscular dystrophy , heart failure , immunohistochemistry
In this exploratory study, we test the hypothesis that voluntary exercise affects the progression of dystrophic changes in the left ventricle of the heart. Wild‐type (C57BL/10ScSn) and dystrophin‐deficient ( mdx ) mice, aged 7 weeks, were divided into sedentary and exercise‐treated groups and tested for differences in cardiac histomorphometry. Exercised mdx mice were found to exhibit significantly enlarged ventricles and thinner lateral ventricular walls than sedentary mdx mice ( P < 0.05). Trichrome staining indicated the presence of fibrotic lesions in the left ventricular myocardium in 20% of the exercised mdx group. Fibrotic lesions were not found in control or sedentary mdx mice. No histomorphometric differences were found between treatment groups in wild‐type mice. Our findings suggest voluntary exercise may accelerate the progression of ventricular dilation and fibrosis in young mdx mice. The effects of exercise on cardiac remodeling should be considered during the treatment of cardiac disease in dystrophin‐deficient patients. Muscle Nerve 42: 881–885, 2010