Clenbuterol, a beta 2-agonist, retards wasting and loss of contractility in irradiated dystrophic mdx muscle.
Treatment with the adrenergic beta 2-receptor agonist clenbuterol prevented, in dystrophic muscle from mdx mice, a pronounced loss of contractile strength that is observed after blockade of muscle regeneration with gamma irradiation. In addition, muscle mass and myosin content were greater (62-109%) in irradiated hindlimbs from clenbuterol-treated mdx mice, whereas the effects of the beta 2-agonist were relatively smaller (12-21%) in the nonirradiated hindlimbs. Together, these results suggest that beta 2-agonists can antagonize degenerative processes occurring in muscle fibers lacking dystrophin.
Zeman
R J
RJ
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.
Zhang
Y
Y
Etlinger
J D
JD
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002976:Clenbuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006614:Hindlimb; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002976:Clenbuterol