The Study of the Therapeutic Effect of Dinitrosyl Iron Complex on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

張勛婷1 , 曾宇馨 2 , 曲在雯 1

1Department of Biological Science and Technology , National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Recent studies showed that the new steady nitric oxide (NO) releasing compound, Dinitrosyl Iron Complex (DNIC 1) had the therapeutic effects both on aging mice with metabolic syndrome s and on Drosophila with polyQ disease . However it is unclear whether the DNIC 1 have similar therapeutic effects on other neural degeneration diseases, such as the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study first aims to determine whether of DNIC-1 can significantly delaying the disease onset and/or alleviated the ALS symptoms. Its underlying mechanisms are subsequently determined The B6.SOD1 (G93A) hemi and non carrier mice were randomly divide into two groups. The experimental groups were treated with DNIC- 1 orally from postnatal wk-15 The effects of DNIC-1 were weekly assessed by behavioral tests including the wire hanging, gait, pole test, and catwalk. The ALS and WT mice were sacrificed at wk 21 with systemic perfusion with saline following with 4% paraformaldehyde. The brain tissue spinal cord, muscle, and innervated peripheral nerves were post fixed, frozen and cut into serial sections and proceed with immunohistochemical staining with anti-TUJ1 and anti-GFAP to assess and compare the pathologic changes with and without DNIC-1 treatment. The pre liminary results showed the DNIC treatment after the disease onset can ameliorate the ALS symptoms in terms of behavioral performance in some animals, but some are not. More experiments will be needed for elucidating the critical factors to shape the DNIC-1 therapeutic effects. In addition, we will further explore the DNIC-1 pre-treated effects in young animals before the ALS symptoms onset. Results will advance the knowledge on ALS treatment.