Spatiotemporal mapping reveals regional gastrointestinal dysfunction in mdx dystrophic mice ameliorated by oral l-arginine supplementation

Abstract

Background/Aims Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy exhibit significant, ongoing impairments in gastrointestinal (GI) function likely resulting from dysregulated nitric oxide production. Compounds increasing neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression and/or activity could improve GI dysfunction and enhance quality of life for dystrophic patients. We used video imaging and spatiotemporal mapping to identify GI dysfunction in mdx dystrophic mice and determine whether dietary intervention to enhance nitric oxide could alleviate aberrant colonic activity in muscular dystrophy. Methods Four-week-old male C57BL/10 and mdx mice received a specialized diet either with no supplementation (contro..