Combined effect of AMPK/PPAR agonists and exercise training in mdx mice functional performance.

Bueno Júnior CR, Pantaleão LC, Voltarelli VA, Bozi LH, Brum PC, Zatz M

PloS one21 Sept 2012Cited by 40 (Europe PMC)

PMID23029189PMCIDPMC3448675DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0045699PepBankPUB-23029189

Summary

The present investigation was undertaken to test whether exercise training (ET) associated with AMPK/PPAR agonists (EM) would improve skeletal muscle function in mdx mice. These drugs have the potential to improve oxidative metabolism. This is of particular interest because oxidative muscle fibers are less affected in the course of the disease than glycolitic counterparts. Therefore, a cohort of 34 male congenic C57Bl/10J mdx mice included in this study was randomly assigned into four groups: vehicle solution (V), EM [AICAR (AMPK agonist, 50 mg/Kg-1.day-1, ip) and GW 1516 (PPARδ agonist, 2.5 mg/Kg-1.day-1, gavage)], ET (voluntary running on activity wheel) and EM+ET. Functional performance (grip meter and rotarod), aerobic capacity (running test), muscle histopathology, serum creatine kinase (CK), levels of ubiquitined proteins, oxidative metabolism protein expression (AMPK, PPAR, myoglobin and SCD) and intracellular calcium handling (DHPR, SERCA and NCX) protein expression were analyzed. Treatments started when the animals were two months old and were maintained for one month. A significant functional improvement (p<0.05) was observed in animals submitted to the combination of ET and EM. CK levels were decreased and the expression of proteins related to oxidative metabolism was increased in this group. There were no differences among the groups in the intracellular calcium handling protein expression. To our knowledge, this is the first study that tested the association of ET with EM in an experimental model of muscular dystrophy. Our results suggest that the association of ET and EM should be further tested as a potential therapeutic approach in muscular dystrophies.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, AICAR (acadesine) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking AICAR (acadesine).

01AnimalNot a test of AICAR (acadesine) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mdx mice, intracellular calcium handling protein expression did not differ among vehicle, combined agonists, exercise and combined-treatment groups.
In plain wordsIn mice with muscular dystrophy, calcium handling protein expression did not differ among vehicle, combined agonists, exercise, and combined-treatment groups.
Peptide
AICAR (acadesine)
Outcome
No significant changeIntracellular calcium handling protein expression
Study
mousen = 34
mdx mice
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Musculoskeletal
Source sentences
Summary
There were no differences among the groups in the intracellular calcium handling protein expression.
In this study, AICAR (acadesine) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking AICAR (acadesine).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2302918904
02AnimalNot a test of AICAR (acadesine) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mdx mice, combined exercise, AICAR and GW 1516 improved functional performance.
In plain wordsIn mice with muscular dystrophy, exercise with AICAR and GW 1516 improved physical performance.
Peptide
AICAR (acadesine)
Outcome
IncreaseFunctional performance
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mdx mice
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Source sentences
Summary
A significant functional improvement (p<0.05) was observed in animals submitted to the combination of ET and EM.
In this study, AICAR (acadesine) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking AICAR (acadesine).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2302918901
03AnimalNot a test of AICAR (acadesine) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mdx mice, combined exercise, AICAR and GW 1516 decreased creatine kinase levels.
In plain wordsIn mice with muscular dystrophy, exercise with AICAR and GW 1516 reduced creatine kinase levels.
Peptide
AICAR (acadesine)
Outcome
DecreaseSerum creatine kinase
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mdx mice
Outcome group
Muscle injury and repair · Musculoskeletal
Source sentences
Summary
CK levels were decreased and the expression of proteins related to oxidative metabolism was increased in this group.
In this study, AICAR (acadesine) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking AICAR (acadesine).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2302918902
04AnimalNot a test of AICAR (acadesine) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mdx mice, combined exercise, AICAR and GW 1516 increased expression of proteins related to oxidative metabolism.
In plain wordsIn mice with muscular dystrophy, exercise with AICAR and GW 1516 increased proteins related to oxidative metabolism.
Peptide
AICAR (acadesine)
Outcome
IncreaseOxidative metabolism protein expression
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mdx mice
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Musculoskeletal
Source sentences
Summary
CK levels were decreased and the expression of proteins related to oxidative metabolism was increased in this group.
In this study, AICAR (acadesine) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking AICAR (acadesine).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2302918903

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
21 Oct 2026, 15:58 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 12:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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