Validation of biomechanical gait model for use in preclinical trials with stem cells

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder with a recessive trait and is characterized by a deficiency or absence of dystrophin protein on the membrane surface of muscle cells, affecting the heart muscles and nervous system. Presents as clinical signs of progressive loss of muscle strength, resulting in muscle weakness and respiratory disease, the vast majority of patients develop cardiomyopathy. Although the mdx mouse is the animal model used in studies of pathogenesis and the effects of gene therapy and transplantation, a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with similar mutation may be higher than the mouse. The dog Golden Retriever affected by muscular dystrophy (GRDM) is considered an excellent model for the study because of the many similarities between affected dogs and boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is known that the animal model GRMD have progressive muscle weakness, which leads to major changes in their gait. Knowledge of these adaptations in the absence of skeletal muscles can account for disease progression in this model as well as helping with a new tool for quantitative evaluation of future treatments for DMD. Porting this study addresses the variables of walking the dog GRDM in order to establish a tool for quantitative assessment of gait in this experimental model that may contribute to future therapeutic research and collaborate with the knowledge and applicability of animal gait biomechanics.