Effects of a CRF2R agonist and exercise on mdx and wildtype skeletal muscle

Corticotrophin-releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF2R) agonists prevent muscle atrophy due to immobilization, denervation, and corticosteroid-induced muscle atrophy in wildtype mice. We hypothesized that a CRF2R agonist will increase skeletal muscle mass in mdx mice. Mdx (C57BL/10ScSn-Dmd(mdx)) and wildtype (C57BL/6) mice were divided into four groups: sedentary placebo, sedentary CRF2R agonist, exercised placebo, and exercised CRF2R agonist. Mice exercised on a treadmill twice weekly for 30 min (8-12 m/min, 8 weeks). Muscle and heart weights, serum creatine kinase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities were measured. The CRF2R agonist increased extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle weights (P < 0.05) in wildtype and mdx mice. Sedentary mdx CRF2R and exercised mdx placebo mice had lower serum creatine kinase activity than sedentary mdx placebo mice. CRF2R-treated mice had decreased heart weights compared to placebo-treated mice. We conclude that CRF2R agonists should be further evaluated as a potential therapy for dystrophinopathies.