BKCa Activator NS1619 Improves the Structure and Function of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Duchenne Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive hereditary disease caused by the absence of the dystrophin protein. This is secondarily accompanied by a dysregulation of ion homeostasis, in which mitochondria play an important role. In the present work, we show that mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscles of dystrophin-deficient mdx mice is accompanied by a reduction in K+ transport and a decrease in its content in the matrix. This is associated with a decrease in the expression of the mitochondrial large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (mitoBK(Ca)) in the muscles of mdx mice, which play an important role in cytoprotection. We observed that the BKCa activator NS1619 caused a normalization of mitoBK(Ca) expression and potassium homeostasis in the muscle mitochondria of these animals, which was accompanied by an increase in the calcium retention capacity, mitigation of oxidative stress, and improvement in mitochondrial ultrastructure. This effect of NS1619 contributed to the reduction of degeneration/regeneration cycles and fibrosis in the skeletal muscles of mdx mice as well as a normalization of sarcomere size, but had no effect on the leakage of muscle enzymes and muscle strength loss. In the case of wild-type mice, we noted the negative effect of NS1619 manifested in the inhibition of the functional activity of mitochondria and disruption of their structure, which, however, did not significantly affect the state of the skeletal muscles of the animals. This article discusses the role of mitoBK(Ca) in the development of DMD and the prospects of the approach associated with the correction of its function in treatments of this secondary channelopathy.

Automated summary

This study shows that mitochondrial dysfunction and potassium imbalance play a role in the development of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Activating the mitoBK(Ca) channel can improve mitochondrial function and potassium homeostasis, leading to a reduction in muscle degeneration and fibrosis.