OXYRADICAL DAMAGE AND MITOCHONDRIAL ENZYME-ACTIVITIES IN THE MDX MOUSE

A number of studies have already been undertaken to investigate involv ement of oxyradicals in muscle diseases by means of measurements of ox yradical protective enzymes. We investigated o-tyrosine, which is a bi omarker for OH radical damage in vivo, in 10 mdx and 10 control mice. We also measured mitochondrial enzymes in muscle homogenates of 10 mdx and 10 control mice. Mdx mice had significantly elevated values for o -tyrosine, succinat-phenacinmetosulfat oxidoreductase. NADH O-2 oxido- reductase and cytochrome C oxidoreductase. Our findings confirm the su ggestion that elevated oxyradical production occurs in muscular dystro phies with lack of dystrophin. Furthermore, our results demonstrate th at OH radical damage does not impair mitochondrial enzyme activities i n the mdx mouse.