Dual Therapy Deflazacort/Doxycyclyne Is Better Than Deflazacort Monotherapy to Alleviate Cardiomyopathy in Dystrophin-Deficient mdx Mice

Author(s)

Pereira, Juliano Alves ; Mauricio, Adriana Fogagnolo ; Marques, Maria Julia ; Neto, Humberto Santo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS; v. 22, n. 5, p. 458-466, SEP 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Cardiomyopathy related to the absence of dystrophin is an important feature in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in the mdx mouse. Doxycycline (DOX) could be a potential therapy for mdx skeletal muscles dystrophy. We investigated whether the corticoid deflazacort (DFZ) plus DOX could improve cardiac mdx dystrophy better than DFZ alone, later (17 months) in dystrophy. Mdx mice (8 months old) received DFZ/DOX or DFZ for 9 months. The combined therapy was greater than DFZ in reducing fibrosis (60% decrease with DFZ/DOX and 40% with DFZ alone) in the right ventricle and transforming growth factor levels (6.8 +/- 3.2 in untreated mdx mice, 2.8 +/- 1.4 in combined therapy, and 4.6 +/- 1.7 in DFZ; P < .05). Combined therapy more effectively ameliorated cardiac dysfunction (electrocardiogram {[}ECG]) than DFZ. Improvements were seen in the cardiomyopathy index (0.8 +/- 0.1 in combined therapy and 1.0 +/- 0.2 in DFZ), heart rate (418 +/- 46 bpm in combined therapy and 457 +/- 29 bpm in DFZ), QRS interval (11.3 +/- 2 in combined therapy and 13.6 +/- 1 in DFZ), and Q wave amplitude (-40.7 +/- 21 in combined therapy and -90.9 +/- 36 in DFZ). Both therapies decreased markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor , nuclear factor B, and metalloproteinase 9). DFZ/DOX improved mdx cardiomyopathy at this stage of the disease, supporting further clinical investigations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/13577-1 - Biomarkers of cardiomyopathy in dystrophy: a metabolomic study and pharmacological therapy
• Grantee: Adriana Fogagnolo Mauricio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate