Increased oxidative stress in dystrophin deficient (mdx) mice masticatory muscles.

Background: It has been suggested that increased oxidative stress and the glutathione antioxidant system play an important role in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, there is still a lack of data about the oxidative status in dystrophic masticatory muscles.

Methods: In the masticatory muscles of the mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (mdx and controls; 100 days old, n=8-10 each group) we examined the GSH and GSSG content (glutathione reduced/oxidized form) and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) as measured by the thiobarbituric acid-reaction.

Results: In the mdx mice masticatory muscles we found increased oxidative stress as compared to the controls. The GSH values in mdx muscles were decreased (mean±SEM; masseter 339.8±37.6 μg/g vs. 523.1±36.1 μg/g, temporal 304.1±49.6 μg/g vs.512.6±60.6 μg/g, tongue muscle 243.3±28. 8 μg/g vs. 474.9±40.1 μg/g; Fig. 1) as compared to normal mice. The GSH/GSSG ratio in mdx mice was consequently decreased. No significant differences in GSSG content and LPO levels were found between mdx and control mice.

Conclusions: The results imply that oxidative stress is present in all three studied mdx mouse masticatory muscles.