Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in murine motor neuron disease (the wobbler mouse) ☆

Abstract Clinical benefits of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were tested in wobbler mice, an animal model of motor neuron disease. After the disease was clinically recognized at 3–4 weeks, the animals were divided into two groups, each group consisting of 5 pairs of wobbler mice and normal littermates. TRH (50 mg/kg) and normal saline (NS) were injected intraperitoneally daily, 6 times per week for 9 weeks, in a double-blind study. Weekly assessments consisted of front paw grip strength, push walking, body weight, and semiquantitative grading. At the end of the trial, the brain and spinal cord were sampled to measure TRH and cyclo (His-Pro) concentrations. Progression of motor neuron disease was evident in wobbler mice, regardless of treatment. Descriptive semiquantitative gradings showed the tendency of improvement in TRH-treated wobbler mice. In saline-injected controls, TRH levels in the cervical spinal cord were significantly increased ( P