Contributions of mouse genetic strain background to age-related phenotypes in physically active HET3 mice.

We assessed aging hallmarks in skin, muscle, and adipose in the genetically diverse HET3 mouse, and generated a broad dataset comparing these to individual animal diagnostic SNPs from the 4 founding inbred strains of the HET3 line. For middle- and old-aged HET3 mice, we provided running wheel exercise to ensure our observations were not purely representative of sedentary animals, but age-related phenotypes were not improved with running wheel activity. Adipose tissue fibrosis, peripheral neuropathy, and loss of neuromuscular junction integrity were consistent phenotypes in older-aged HET3 mice regardless of physical activity, but aspects of these phenotypes were moderated by the SNP% contributions of the founding strains for the HET3 line. Taken together, the genetic contribution of founder strain SNPs moderated age-related phenotypes in skin and muscle innervation and were dependent on biological sex and chronological age. However, there was not a single founder strain (BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, C3H/HeJ, DBA/2J) that appeared to drive more protection or disease-risk across aging in this mouse line, but genetic diversity in general was more protective.

Open-label trial of ranolazine for the treatment of paramyotonia congenita.

INTRODUCTION: Paramyotonia congenita (PMC) is a nondystrophic myotonic disorder that is believed to be caused by a defect in Nav 1.4 sodium channel inactivation. Ranolazine, which acts by enhancing slow inactivation of sodium channels, has been proposed as a therapeutic option, but in vivo studies are lacking. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, single-center trial of ranolazine to evaluate efficacy and tolerability in patients with PMC. Subjective symptoms of stiffness, weakness, and pain as well as clinical and electrical myotonia were evaluated. Baseline measures were compared with those after 4 weeks of treatment with ranolazine. RESULTS: Ranolazine was tolerated well without any serious adverse events. Both subjective symptoms and clinical myotonia were significantly improved. Duration of myotonia was reduced according to electromyography, but this change was not statistically significant in all tested muscles. DISCUSSION: Our findings support the use of ranolazine as a treatment for myotonia in PMC and suggest that a randomized, placebo-controlled trial is warranted. Muscle Nerve 59:240-243, 2019.