Doxycycline ameliorates the dystrophic phenotype of skeletal and cardiac muscles in mdx mice.
BACKGROUND
We examined whether doxycycline, an antibiotic member of the tetracycline family, improves the histopathology and muscle function in mdx mice, the experimental model of DMD.


METHODS
Doxycycline was administered for 36 days (starting on postnatal day 0) and for 9 months (starting at 8 months of age) in drinking water. Histopathological, biochemical (creatine kinase), and functional (forelimb muscle grip strength) parameters were evaluated in limb, diaphragm, and cardiac muscle.


RESULTS
Doxycycline significantly minimized the dystrophic phenotype of skeletal and cardiac muscles and improved forelimb muscle strength. The drug protected muscle fibers against myonecrosis and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, it slowed the progression of myocardial fibrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that doxycycline may be a potential therapeutic agent for DMD.
Departamento de Anatomia, Biologia Celular, Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil.
Juliano Alves
JA
Pereira
Ana Paula Tiemi
AP
Taniguti
Cíntia
C
Matsumura
Maria Julia
MJ
Marques
Humberto Santo
HS
Neto
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005355:Fibrosis; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline