EFFECT OF LOW-INTENSITY PHYSICAL EXERCISE ASSOCIATED WITH CURCUMIN INTAKE OR PHOTOBIOMODULATION ON REDUCING MUSCLE DAMAGE IN DMD IN mdx MICE

• Grant number: 25/02684-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Anabelle Silva Cornachione
• Grantee: Anabelle Silva Cornachione
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cleber Ferraresi ; Coen Ottenheijm ; Fabio Minozzo ; Gerson Jhonatan Rodrigues

Abstract

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive genetic disease that causes significant functional alterations in the skeletal and cardiac muscles. Low-intensity aerobic training has already been shown to be effective in delaying the disease by determining significant improvements in muscle function. In an attempt to boost these promising results of exercise for DMD sufferers, alternative therapies are being investigated in parallel. Curcumin and photobiomodulation are effective procedures in halting the degenerative progression of dystrophic muscles, as they act on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant processes, favoring the regenerative environment in the tissue, but their effects associated with training are unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze the morphofunctional characteristics of dystrophic muscle tissue in the absence or presence of low-intensity aerobic training associated with the consumption of curcumin or the application of photobiomodulation. We will use mdx mice divided into experimental groups which will be submitted or not to training, doses of curcumin and photobiomodulation sessions. Skeletal muscles and the heart will be dissected. Morphophysiological analyses will include: determination of biochemical markers, Single Cell functional analysis, Light Microscopy, Immunofluorescence and Western Blot. The results of this study could contribute to the future development of clinical studies with DMD sufferers, as they could elucidate mechanisms that regulate the activation of autophagy pathways that lead to muscle atrophy and pathways involved in muscle and neuromuscular regeneration, through coadjuvant therapeutic procedures that are easy to access, low cost and have low or no side effects. (AU)