Vergani L, Finco C, Di Giulio A M, Muller E E, Gorio A
Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Medical Toxicology, University of Milano, Italy.
Neurosci Lett. 1997 May 30;228(1):41-4. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(97)00375-3.
In this study we examined the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the progressive motor neuron disease in wobbler mice. After clinical diagnosis at age 3 weeks, mice received daily subcutaneous injections of IGF-I, or GAGs, or saline for 3 weeks. The histometric analysis revealed that biceps muscle fiber diameter was reduced in wobbler mice and that treatments with GAGs and IGF-I prevented such a drop. The number of atrophic small fibers was markedly reduced and that of the larger ones augmented. No effects on body growth and biceps muscle weight were observed. The combined AChE-silver staining revealed that both treatments promoted intramuscular axonal sprouting. The typical decline of grip strength in wobbler mice was also prevented. This study suggests that GAGs and IGF-I administrations can retard the onset of motor deficit, and reduce muscle atrophy in wobbler mice.
