Characterization of Gait Kinematics and Muscle Function in Becker Muscular Dystrophy Pigs: a pilot study

Morton, A. B.; Kendra, J. A.; Golpasandi, S.; Mackey, M.; Russell, H.; Hendrie, C.; Chen, K.; Kiefer, Z. E.; Yentas, J. M.; Ross, J. W.; Selsby, J. T.; Deutz, N. E. P.; Nghiem, P. P.

doi:10.1101/2025.10.10.681620

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.10.10.681620

Characterization of Gait Kinematics and Muscle Function in Becker Muscular Dystrophy Pigs: a pilot study

Morton, A. B.·Kendra, J. A.·Golpasandi, S.·Mackey, M.·Russell, H.·Hendrie, C.·Chen, K.·Kiefer, Z. E.·Yentas, J. M.·Ross, J. W.·Selsby, J. T.·Deutz, N. E. P.·Nghiem, P. P.

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Abstract

Vertebrate animal models of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) have been developed. Here, we characterized the gait kinematics and muscle function of a naturally occurring BMD pig model of dystrophin insufficiency. BMD pigs tended to have alterations in hip range of motion (ROM): hip (67%, 95% CI -0.64 to 14.12 degrees). While parameters were unaltered in extensor muscles, the dystrophin levels in flexor tibiotarsal joint muscles correlated with fatigue index as well as reduced isometric force (48%, 95% CI -1.86 to -0.61 N-m), and a 33% increase in fatigue index (95% CI -36.25 to 96.71 percent); the extensor muscles had no observable reductions in muscle force, with a 48% increase in fatigue index (95% CI -232.6 to 472.6 percent). Histological analysis of muscle biopsies supported a BMD phenotype in the flexor muscles of BMD pigs, with a 75% (95% CI -55.14 to -15.66 percent) decrease in large and a 43% (95% CI 17.74 to 57.38 percent) increase in small muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Dystrophin protein abundance was 28% less in flexor muscles from BMD pigs (95% CI -49.63 to 11.41 arbitrary units). Together, our model may serve as a clinically relevant model of BMD to assess safety and efficacy of therapeutics.

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Morton, A. B., Kendra, J. A., Golpasandi, S., Mackey, M., Russell, H., Hendrie, C., Chen, K., Kiefer, Z. E., Yentas, J. M., Ross, J. W., Selsby, J. T., Deutz, N. E. P., Nghiem, P. P.. 2025-10-11. Characterization of Gait Kinematics and Muscle Function in Becker Muscular Dystrophy Pigs: a pilot study. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.10.681620

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