Introduction: α1-syntrophin, a member of the dystrophin complex, recruits membrane molecules, including aquaporin-4, at the sarcolemma. The physiological functions of α1-syntrophin are poorly understood.
Methods: We examined the physiological characteristics of α1-syntrophin-deficient muscles under osmotic stress conditions to test the possibility that mutant muscles are less tolerant of osmotic shock.
Results: Isolated muscle bundles from mutant mice showed markedly reduced force production after hypo-osmotic shock. In addition, the mutant muscle bundles showed delayed recovery of specific gravity after being exposed to hypo-osmotic conditions. Two consecutive exercise tests on the treadmill revealed their performance in the second test was significantly lower than for wild-type mice. Furthermore, mutant mice had higher serum lactate concentrations after treadmill exercise.
Conclusions: Although the lack of α1-syntrophin from the sarcolemma does not lead to muscle degeneration, our results suggest that it may be partly involved in the pathophysiology of dystrophin-deficient Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Keywords: Duchenne muscular dystrophy; aquaporin-4; fatigue; osmotic regulation; α1-syntrophin.
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