Browsing by Author "Myllykangas, Sami"

This 12-week study explored the efficacy of gene therapy using AAV-Pro-MSTN and AAV-VEGF-B vectors on 40 male mice to enhance muscle growth, vasculature, and metabolic functions in a diabetic mouse model. The mice were randomly split into five groups: one healthy group on a chow diet, one diabetic control group on a high-fat diet (HFD), and three diabetic groups on HFD, each receiving different gene therapies. Alterations in body composition were quantified, and metabolic rates and physical activity levels were assessed. The results indicated that combined gene therapy with VEGF-B and Pro-MSTN promoted muscle growth and mitigated muscle atrophy. However, changes in capillary density and muscle fiber size were not statistically significant. Healthy mice exhibited higher activity levels than diabetic controls. Diabetic control mice showed a reduction in lean mass, whereas treatment groups experienced significant reductions in fat mass and increases in lean and total mass. Diabetic controls had increased oxygen consumption (OC) and energy expenditure rates than the healthy mice, indicating a higher metabolic rate due to their diabetic state and diet. Treatment with VEGF-B and Pro-MSTN led to even higher OC compared to the diabetic control group. Statistical analysis confirmed significant group and mass effects on metabolic parameters, underscoring the potential of gene therapy in treating diabetes in mouse models, though further studies are needed for validation.