EFFICACY OF DRUG REGIMEN EXCEEDS ELECTROSTIMULATION IN TREATMENT OF AVIAN MUSCULAR-DYSTROPHY

Autosomal-recessive dystrophic chickens were treated in three experime ntal groups with an intraperitoneal multicomponent drug mixture (50 mg /kg Ep475, 20 mg/kg Cinanserin, 10 mg/kg stanazolol, 100 mg/kg leucine , 0.1 mg/kg insulin, 100 mg/kg glucose, and 50 mg/kg carnitine), percu taneous high-frequency electrostimulation of the pectoralis muscle, or a combination of both drug and electrostimulation treatments. Therape utic efficacy was determined in each group by measurements of strength , righting ability, and histomorphometric analyses of the pectoralis m usculature. Drug treatment alone was found to significantly improve mu scular strength, function, and relative myofiber necrosis compared wit h sham-injected controls. The efficacy of drug treatment was found to be equal to or better than singular electrostimulation treatment; ther e was no apparent additive effect of electrostimulation. As a result, these findings support the use of drug treatment as a useful nongeneti c approach to the management of human muscular dystrophy where there i s the potential risk of injury from exercise usage.