Intramuscular tetanus neurotoxin reverses muscle atrophy: a randomized controlled trial in dogs with spinal cord injury

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2022 · DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12836 · Published: October 27, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Veterinary Medicine

Simple Explanation

This research investigates if tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) injections can help dogs with spinal cord injuries (SCI) regain muscle mass and improve movement. SCI often leads to muscle wasting and limited mobility. The study involved injecting either TeNT or a placebo into the hind leg muscles of dogs with SCI and monitoring muscle thickness and gait (walking) function. The results showed that TeNT injections significantly increased muscle thickness in the treated dogs, but there was no notable difference in their walking ability compared to the placebo group.

Study Duration

4 Weeks

Participants

25 dogs with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 1: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Key Findings

1
Intramuscular injections of TeNT significantly increased the muscle thickness of the gluteus medius and rectus femoris muscles in dogs with SCI after four weeks.
2
There was no significant difference in gait function between the TeNT and placebo groups, as assessed by the modified functional scoring system in dogs (mFSSD).
3
The treatment was well-tolerated by all dogs, with no signs of generalized tetanus symptoms or spreading of effects beyond the injected hindlimbs.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intramuscular injections of low-dose tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) in reversing muscle atrophy and improving gait function in dogs with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results demonstrated a significant increase in muscle thickness in the TeNT-treated group compared to the placebo group, indicating a reversal of muscle atrophy. While muscle thickness improved, there was no significant improvement in gait function. The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated.

Practical Implications

Reversal of Muscle Atrophy

Intramuscular TeNT injections can potentially reverse muscle atrophy associated with SCI, offering a novel pharmacological approach to address this common complication.

Safety Profile

Low-dose TeNT appears safe for focal muscle injections in SCI, without systemic effects, providing a foundation for further research and potential therapeutic applications.

Combined Therapies

Combining TeNT injections with physiotherapy may enhance functional outcomes, suggesting that integrated treatment strategies could be more effective for SCI rehabilitation.

Study Limitations

1
The study follow-up was limited to a single time point (4 weeks), thus lacking long-term data on the duration of TeNT effects.
2
The absence of regular physiotherapeutic treatment during the study might have limited the potential for functional improvements in gait.
3
Individual dosage and injection schemes may not have been optimized for improving individual gait impairments.

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