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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ralf Bauer, Dr Guy MacGowanORCiD, Dr Alison Blain, Emerita Professor Katherine Bushby, Professor Volker StraubORCiD
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Aims: As oral corticosteroids have a beneficial effect on muscle strength in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, it has been suggested that they may also be a useful treatment in the pathologically related sarcoglycanopathies. The δ-sarcoglycan-deficient mouse (Sgcd-null) is a model for both limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2F (LGMD2F) and dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: To study the effect of oral corticosteroids on cardiac function, we treated 8-week-old Sgcd-null mice with prednisolone (1.5 mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 8 weeks. In vivo cardiac function was assessed by pressure-volume loops using a conductance catheter. We found a well-compensated cardiomyopathy at baseline in Sgcd-null mice with decreased myocardial contractility, increased preload, and decreased afterload, maintaining a high cardiac output. Cardiac haemodynamics, surprisingly, did not improve in prednisolone-treated mice, but instead deteriorated with evidence of ventricular stiffening. On histology, after steroid treatment there was increased myocardial cell damage and increased myocardial fibrosis. Conclusion: Prednisolone led to a decompensation of cardiac haemodynamics in Sgcd-null mice and induced additional cardiac damage. On the basis of these findings, although mouse models may not completely replicate the human situation for LGMD2F, we conclude that careful cardiac monitoring is clearly indicated in patients on long-term corticosteroids. © The Author 2008.
Author(s): Bauer R, MacGowan GA, Blain A, Bushby K, Straub V
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cardiovascular Research
Year: 2008
Volume: 79
Issue: 4
Pages: 652-661
ISSN (print): 0008-6363
ISSN (electronic): 1755-3245
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvn131
DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvn131
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