Table 2 Effect of a-methyl-prednisolone treatment on in vivo and ex vivo pathology signs of mdx mouse

From: Effects of prednisolone on the dystrophin-associated proteins in the blood–brain barrier and skeletal muscle of dystrophic mdx mice

 

BW (g)

Fmax (kg)

FNmax

EDL sP0 (kN/m2)

EDL rheobase voltage (mV)

% Drop force eccentric contraction

CK (U/l)

WT (n=6)

27,8±0.4

0.225±0.007

8.1±0.24

127.5±12

−68±1.4

−0.36±1.43

2696±1766

MDX+vehicle (n=7)

25.4±0.97a,b

0.135±0.005a,b

5.4±0.3a,b

87.7±6.0a,b

−75.3±1.4a,b

−8.84±1.84b

17363±4576a,b

MDX+PDN (n=9)

24.4±0.5a,b

0.159±0.01a,b

6.6±0.3a,b,c

108.3±4.8c

−72±1.2a,b,c

−13.17±9.34

14807±2441a,b

  1. Values are means±s.e.m. from the number of animals in parentheses. Experimental groups of mice are as follows: wild type (WT), exercised mdx mice treated with vehicle (sterile water; vehicle), and exercised mdx mice treated with PDN 1 mg/kg (PDN). The in vivo parameters, measured after 4 weeks of exercise and treatment, are the following: BW, body weight (in g); Fmax, maximal forelimb strength (in kg); and FNmax, the normalized forelimb strength calculated for each mouse by normalizing Fmax for body weight. Ex vivo parameters included functional recordings on extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. For contraction measurement the maximal isometric tetanic force (pP0 in kN/m2) and the percentage of force drop during eccentric contraction, measured at the 5th pulse train vs the first one are shown. For the electrophysiological experiments, it is shown the rheobase voltage ie the membrane voltage at, which contraction occurs independently on depolarizing pulse duration (in mV). As biochemical index plasma creatine kinase activity (CK in U/l) has been measured by standard spectrophotometric analysis.
  2. A statistical difference by ANOVA test was found for BW (F>6; P<0.009), Fmax (F>25; P<3.9 × 10−6), FNmax (F>17; P<4.6 × 10−5), EDL sP0 (F>6.2; P<0.009), EDL Reobase Voltage (F>6; P<0.008) and CK (F>5; P<0.02).Post-hoc Bonferroni t-test is as follows:
  3. aSignificantly different with respect to wt mice: 0.03<P<1.2 × 10−6.The statistical significance by Student’s t-test is as follows:
  4. bSignificantly different with respect to wt mice: 0.05<P<0.001.
  5. cSignificantly different with respect to vehicle-treated mdx mice: 0.05<P<0.02. Statistical significance for fitted rheobase voltage has been calculated on number of fibers determining the fit as described elsewhere.11
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