Correlation analysis of inorganic elements in whole blood of GRMD dogs using INAA

Abstract

Instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) has been used to determine Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and S concentrations in whole blood of GRMD dogs’ samples from control, carrier and affected dogs (treated and untreated). The GRMD dogs are relevant as an experimental model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which is the most severe and prevalent type of muscular dystrophy. Muscle weakness, premature death and instability of the membrane that involves the muscle fibers - causing functional/structural abnormalities and cell death - are main characteristics of this genetic disease. To show in more details the alterations that this disease may cause in whole blood, correlations matrixes were generated for control, carried and affected groups permitting a comparison between them. The results emphasize physiologic differences for K and Mg and suggest that Br results are altered, emphasizing a constant monitoring need. Other than that, these results may help the researchers to evaluate the efficiency of new treatments and to compare the advantages of different treatment approaches before performing tests in patients with muscular dystrophy.