Activity of Krebs cycle enzymes in mdx mice.

INTRODUCTION

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative disease of skeletal, respiratory, and cardiac muscles caused by defects in the dystrophin gene. More recently, brain involvement has been verified. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress may underlie the pathophysiology of DMD. In this study we evaluate Krebs cycle enzymes activity in the cerebral cortex, diaphragm, and quadriceps muscles of mdx mice.

METHODS

Cortex, diaphragm, and quadriceps tissues from male dystrophic mdx and control mice were used.

RESULTS

We observed increased malate dehydrogenase activity in the cortex; increased malate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities in the diaphragm; and increased citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase activities in the quadriceps of mdx mice.

CONCLUSION

This study showed increased activity of Krebs cycle enzymes in cortex, quadriceps, and diaphragm in mdx mice.