Effects of metformin on congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A disease progression in mice: a gender impact study

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 2;8(1):16302. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34362-2.

Abstract

Congenital muscular dystrophy with laminin α2 chain-deficiency (LAMA2-CMD) is a severe muscle disorder with complex underlying pathogenesis. We have previously employed profiling techniques to elucidate molecular patterns and demonstrated significant metabolic impairment in skeletal muscle from LAMA2-CMD patients and mouse models. Thus, we hypothesize that skeletal muscle metabolism may be a promising pharmacological target to improve muscle function in LAMA2-CMD. Here, we have investigated whether the multifunctional medication metformin could be used to reduce disease in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. First, we show gender disparity for several pathological hallmarks of LAMA2-CMD. Second, we demonstrate that metformin treatment significantly increases weight gain and energy efficiency, enhances muscle function and improves skeletal muscle histology in female dy2J/dy2J mice (and to a lesser extent in dy2J/dy2J males). Thus, our current data suggest that metformin may be a potential future supportive treatment that improves many of the pathological characteristics of LAMA2-CMD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Lamin Type A / deficiency*
  • Lamin Type A / genetics
  • Laminin / genetics
  • Male
  • Metformin / administration & dosage*
  • Mice
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophies / drug therapy*
  • Muscular Dystrophies / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophies / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / drug therapy*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / pathology
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Laminin
  • laminin alpha 2
  • Metformin

Supplementary concepts

  • Muscular Dystrophy, Congenital, Lmna-Related