title: Neuroprotective effect of ultra-high dose methylcobalamin in wobbler mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-dose of methylcobalamin promotes nerve regeneration in rats with acrylamide neuropathy. A double-blind controlled trial suggested that high-dose methylcobalamin could increase compound muscle action potentials in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A large-scale extended period human trial is now on-going in ALS (Clinicaltrial.govNCT00444613). We attempted to study whether high-dose methylcobalamin can improve symptoms or retard progression of motor dysfunction in the wobbler mouse model of ALS.
  
  
  METHODS
  After initial diagnosis of the disease at the postnatal age of 3-4 weeks, wobbler mice received methylcobalamin (3 or 30 mg/kg, n=10/group) or vehicle (n=10), daily for 4 weeks by intraperitoneal administration in a blinded fashion. We compared clinical symptoms and pathological changes among all groups. Vitamin B12 concentrations were measured in the serum, the skeletal muscle and the spinal cord of three groups (n=5/group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with vehicle, mice treated with ultra-high dose (30 mg/kg) of methylcobalamin significantly inhibited muscle weakness and contracture in the forelimb, and increased the weight of the bicep muscles and the number of musculocutaneous nerves. Methylcobalamin-treated mice significantly elevated vitamin B12 concentrations of the serum, the bicep muscle and the spinal cord compared to vehicle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that treatment with methylcobalamin could delay progression of motor symptoms and neuropathological changes in wobbler mouse motor neuron disease if very high doses are used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tokushima University School of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan. Electronic address: rkaji@tokushima-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaji
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C019476:mecobalamin; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Homocysteine animal model; Methylcobalamin; Motor neuron disease; Ultra-high doses; Wobbler mouse