Muscular Dystrophy: Underlying Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Various Nanotherapeutic Approaches for Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy (MD) corresponds to a cluster of approximately 30–40 genetically controlled diseases, which exhibit inheritance patterns that are both dominant and recessive and can be autosomal or X-linked. These disorders are marked by gradual muscle degeneration and diminished muscle potency of variable severity depending on the stage and onset age of the disease, as well as the distribution of affected muscles. In most cases, patients ultimately lose the ability to walk, and unfortunately, no therapeutic or promising drugs have been discovered for MD to date. This chapter examines the genes and the corresponding proteins, which are responsible for the majority of these conditions, as well as various diagnostic and treatment strategies, focusing on the importance of nanotechnology-based approaches. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the basics, clinical symptoms, and molecular mechanisms underlying various types of MDs.