Abstract

Background High-dose of methylcobalamin promotes nerve regeneration in rats with acrylamide neuropathy. A double-blind controlled trial suggested that high-dose methylcobalamin could increase compound muscle action potentials in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A large-scale extended period human trial is now on-going in ALS (Clinicaltrial.gov NCT00444613). We attempted to study whether high-dose methylcobalamin can improve symptoms or retard progression of motor dysfunction in the wobbler mouse model of ALS.

Methods After initial diagnosis of the disease at the postnatal age of 3–4 weeks, wobbler mice received methylcobalamin (3 or 30 mg/kg, n = 10/group) or vehicle (n = 10), daily for 4 weeks by intraperitoneal administration in a blinded fashion. We compared clinical symptoms and pathological changes among all groups. Vitamin B12 concentrations were measured in the serum, the skeletal muscle and the spinal cord of three groups (n = 5/group).

Results In comparison with vehicle, mice treated with ultra-high dose (30 mg/kg) of methylcobalamin significantly inhibited muscle weakness and contracture in the forelimb, and increased the weight of the bicep muscles and the number of musculocutaneous nerves. Methylcobalamin-treated mice significantly elevated vitamin B12 concentrations of the serum, the bicep muscle and the spinal cord compared to vehicle.