Effects of fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on dystrophic mdx mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in the mdx mouse model of DMD, the lack of dystrophin leads to muscle degeneration and inflammation contributes to progression of the disease. In this study, we evaluated the effects of commercially available fish oil containing EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on mdx.

METHODS

Mdx mice (14 days old) were treated with fish oil (FDC Vitamins; 0.002 g EPA and 0.001 g DHA) for 16 days by gavage. Control mdx mice received mineral oil (Nujol). Grip strength measurement was used for functional evaluation. The sternomastoid, diaphragm and biceps brachii muscles were removed and processed for histopathology and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Fish oil decreased creatine kinase and myonecrosis. In all muscles studied, the inflammatory area was significantly reduced after treatment (18.0 ± 3.0% inflammatory area in untreated mdx mice versus 4.0 ± 1% in treated mdx mice). Fish oil protected against the loss of muscle strength. Fish oil significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α and the levels of 4-HNE-protein adducts (30-34% reduction for both) in all muscles studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Commercially available fish oil may be potentially useful to ameliorate dystrophic progression of skeletal muscles, deserving further clinical trials in DMD patients.