This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Studies continue developing MR for muscle research. Using spin echo and gradient echo techniques, imaging projects continue at 4.7, 11.1 and 17.6T. In one study, a quantitative study of bioenergetics in carbonic anhydrase III knockout mice by in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been performed. This study supports the contention that CA III may not play an important role for the system to be functional under a mild ischemic stress condition. In another project, we are trying to develop a clinically relevant gene therapy approach for the treatment of limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D (LGMD-2D). To evaluate gene delivery in vivo we have developed a non-invasive imaging assay using MRI because of the random location of lesion development within skeletal muscle of ASG-/- mice. One and 2-month-old ASG -/- mice were imaged using MRI in order to determine the initial size and location of dystrophic lesions in muscles of the lower extremities. Less than 15% of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from mice imaged at 1 month showed lesion development and approximately 90% of TA muscles in mice imaged at 2 months showed lesion development. Therefore, we have established that there is a critical window for prevention and/or correction of lesion development in specific muscles during the first few weeks of life in the ASG-/- mouse. Another study looks at the effects of training on the skeletal muscle following spinal cord contusion injury using magnetic resonance imaging using the 4.7T system. Another study also uses the 4.7T to evaluate the ability of MR imaging to noninvasively monitor muscle stem cell transplantation, homing to damaged tissue, and regeneration. We are investigating the utility of the higher field magnets and optimized rf coils to improve these studies.
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