Additive neuroprotective effects of minocycline with creatine in a mouse model of ALS

Ann Neurol. 2003 Feb;53(2):267-70. doi: 10.1002/ana.10476.

Abstract

The known neuroprotective effects of minocycline and creatine in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) led us to examine whether the combination of these agents would result in increased neuroprotection. As previously reported, we confirmed in ALS mice that either minocycline or creatine treatment results in improvement in motor performance and extended survival. We report that combination of minocycline and creatine resulted in additive neuroprotection, suggesting this to be a novel potential strategy for the treatment of ALS. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating additive neuroprotection of a combinatorial approach in a mouse model of ALS. Adding relevancy to our findings, minocycline and creatine, are relatively safe, cross the blood-brain barrier, and are currently available for human evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / mortality
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Creatine / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Minocycline / pharmacology*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • Sod1 protein, mouse
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • Minocycline
  • Creatine