Substrate reduction intervention by L-cycloserine in twitcher mice (globoid cell leukodystrophy) on a B6;CAST/Ei background

Neurosci Lett. 2003 Aug 14;347(1):33-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00633-5.

Abstract

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL) is usually a fatal demyelinating disease caused by mutations in galactosylceramidase, which normally recycles galactosylceramide, a predominant glycolipid of myelin, and psychosine. The initial pathology is thought to be due to the accumulation of psychosine in myelin-forming cells leading to their death. In this study, substrate reduction therapy using L-cycloserine, an inhibitor of 3-ketodihydrosphingosine synthase, was examined in twitcher mice on a C57BL/6xCAST/Ei (B6;CAST/Ei) background, which mimics a late onset variant of GCL. A graded dose regimen of L-cycloserine initiated before the onset of symptoms increased the lifespan by approximately 45% and delayed the onset of weight loss while the administration of L-cycloserine beginning after the onset of symptoms had no effect. Despite the pronounced effect for the early treatment regimen, B6;CAST/Ei twitcher mice still displayed a progressive disease leading to an early death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cycloserine / chemistry
  • Cycloserine / therapeutic use*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell / genetics
  • Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell / metabolism
  • Longevity / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases / genetics
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases / metabolism
  • Psychosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Psychosine
  • Cycloserine
  • 3-ketodihydrosphingosine synthetase
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases