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Elucidation of membrane destabilization in post-mortem muscles using an extracellular paramagnetic agent (Gd-DTPA):
Hanne Christine Bertram1, Jan Stagsted, Jette Feveile Young
1Department of Food Science, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. hannec.bertram@agrsci.dk
Abstract:
The effect of Gd-DTPA on the development in NMR relaxation of skeletal rabbit muscles post-mortem was investigated by dynamic low-field (0.47 T) relaxation measurements from 4 min post-mortem and until 23 h post-mortem. Twelve rabbits were included in the study, and half of the animals were administered 0.2 mmol of Gd-DTPA iv 15 min before sacrifice, while the other half was administered an isotonic salt solution. A significant effect of Gd-DTPA treatment corresponding to a 25% reduction in the T(1) relaxation time was observed. T(2) relaxation was decomposed into two components reflecting intra- and extracellular components (T(2)()alpha and T(2)()beta, respectively), and Gd-DTPA treatment was found to affect both components. However, around 150 min post-mortem a dramatic increase in the difference between control and Gd-DTPA-treated rabbits was observed in the relaxation time of the intracellular water population (T(2)()alpha). Electrical stimulation of the muscles resulted in a significantly earlier onset of the increased effect of Gd-DTPA on the T(2)()alpha population. The increased effect of Gd-DTPA treatment on the T(2)()alpha component is believed to reflect leakage of water from the muscle cells due to membrane destabilization, known to be promoted by electrical stimulation. Accordingly, the present study demonstrates how Gd-DTPA can be used for probing membrane integrity in post-mortem muscles known to be of importance for subsequent water distribution and final water-holding capacity.
Insights
Gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) significantly alters NMR relaxation times in post-mortem rabbit muscle, indicating its potential for assessing membrane integrity and water-holding capacity.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Post-mortem Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle properties change significantly after death.
- Understanding post-mortem changes is crucial for meat science and preservation.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation can probe tissue water dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Gd-DTPA on NMR relaxation in post-mortem rabbit skeletal muscle.
- To assess Gd-DTPA's utility in probing muscle membrane integrity.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic low-field (0.47 T) NMR relaxation measurements were performed on rabbit muscles up to 23 hours post-mortem.
- Gd-DTPA was administered intravenously to half the rabbits before sacrifice.
- Electrical stimulation was applied to some muscles to assess its influence.
Main Results:
- Gd-DTPA treatment reduced T(1) relaxation time by 25%.
- Gd-DTPA affected both intra- (T(2)()alpha) and extracellular (T(2)()beta) water populations.
- A significant increase in Gd-DTPA's effect on T(2)()alpha was observed around 150 min post-mortem, exacerbated by electrical stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Gd-DTPA's effect on T(2)()alpha is linked to membrane destabilization and water leakage.
- Electrical stimulation accelerates the onset of Gd-DTPA's effect on T(2)()alpha.
- Gd-DTPA serves as a valuable tool for evaluating post-mortem muscle membrane integrity and predicting water-holding capacity.
