by Playfuls Staff |
22nd January 2007
U.S. scientists have found a drug commonly used to lower blood pressure can reverse muscle wasting in mice with Duchenne [more] muscular dystrophy.
The John Hopkins University researchers also found it has a similar affect on genetically engineered mice with Marfan syndrome.
A team led by Dr. Harry Dietz discovered treating Marfan mice with losartan (Cozaar) dramatically strengthens the major artery carrying blood from the heart and prevented enlargement and risk of the artery bursting. A clinical trial to assess how effective losartan is for treating people with Marfan is to start within weeks.
"In addition to the aortic defect, children with severe Marfan syndrome often have very small, weak muscles, and adults with Marfan often can't gain muscle mass despite adequate nutrition and exercise," explained Dietz, a professor of genetic medicine.
"For so many reasons, we're excited about these studies and their potential to transform the care of patients with both Marfan syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy," added Dietz.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of the disease.
The research is reported online this week in the journal Nature Medicine.
© 2007 UPI
