Diffusion magnetic resonance monitors intramyocellular lipid droplet size in vivo

Abstract

Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) droplets are dynamic organelles whose morphology reflects their vital roles in lipid synthesis, utilization and storage in muscle energy metabolism. To develop non-invasive means to measure droplet microstructure in vivo, we investigated the molecular diffusion behavior of IMCL with diffusion MR spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of MR diffusion characterization of IMCL droplet microstructure and provide evidence of the sensitivity of this method to metabolic alterations. The use of diffusion MR methodology in vivo promises to provide new biophysical insights in the investigation of droplet dynamics and lipid metabolism in both animal models and human subjects. The diffusion MR results may help contribute to an improved understanding and diagnosis of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.