A new article published in Cell Death & Disease discussed that muscular dystrophies are severe genetic diseases, caused by mutations in structural genes and characterized by progressive muscle wasting which compromises patients mobility and respiratory functions. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation are key drivers of these pathologies. Among different myofiber classes, type I fibers display a milder dystrophic phenotype– exhibiting increased oxidative metabolism. The authors reported on the benefits of a cyanidin-enriched diet, that promotes muscle fiber-type switch and reduced inflammation. This article provided compelling evidence that a cyanidin-rich diet strongly delays the progression of muscular dystrophies, paving the way for a combinatorial approach where nutritional-based reduction of muscle inflammation and oxidative stress facilitate the successful perspectives of definitive treatments.

Source: Cell Death & Disease. 2020 Feb 18;11(2):127. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2332-4.