Eicosapentaenoic acid decreases TNF-α and protects dystrophic muscles of mdx mice from degeneration.
In dystrophin-deficient fibers of mdx mice and in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inflammation and increased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) contribute to myonecrosis. We examined the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on dystrophic muscle degeneration. Mdx mice (14 days old) received EPA for 16 days. The sternomastoid, diaphragm and biceps brachii muscles were removed. Control mdx mice received vehicle. EPA decreased creatine kinase and myonecrosis and reduced the levels of TNF-α. These results suggest that EPA plays a protective role in dystrophic muscle degeneration, possibly by reducing TNF-α, and support further investigations of EPA as a potential therapy for dystrophinopathies.
Departamento de Anatomia, Biologia Celular, Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.
Rafael Ventura
RV
Machado
Adriana Fogagnolo
AF
Mauricio
Ana Paula Tiemi
AP
Taniguti
Renato
R
Ferretti
Humberto Santo
HS
Neto
Maria Julia
MJ
Marques
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D003402:Creatine Kinase