Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Human Calf in Subjects With and Without Type 2 Diabetes during Rest and Isometric Plantarflexion Exercise

Aim: This project aims to study differences in diffusion properties of the human calf muscle in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using diffusional properties of water molecule. Methods: Twenty-one subjects were examined in a 3T MRI scanner after obtaining consents. Two groups were tested: 8 participants without DM (WDM) and 13 participants with DM. We used a custom-made MRI compatible ergometer that allows a constant exercise load. Finally, we calculated diffusion indices including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and eigenvalues (λ 1 , λ 2 , λ 3 ) for further analysis. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences ( P >0.05) in diffusion indices of muscles between WDM and DM at the rest position. However, all the muscles in DM showed (Figure) an overall statistically significant increase ( P 2 , and λ 3 in response to exercise, in comparison with the WDM (MD= 15.02%; λ 2 = 16.50%; λ 3 = 14.22% for the MG). Conclusion: There were considerable changes in diffusion indices between WDM and DM groups during the calf exercise. This study demonstrated that structural muscle damage due to the diabetes can be readily distinguished from nondiabetes using DTI. Disclosure M. Edalati: None. C.J. Sorensen: None. M. Hastings: None. M.A. Zayed: None. M.J. Mueller: None. J. Zheng: None.