In vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy assessment of skeletal muscle bioenergetics after spinal cord contusion in rats

Purpose Muscle paralysis after spinal cord injury leads to muscle atrophy, enhanced muscle fatigue, and increased energy demands for functional activities. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) offers a unique non-invasive alternative of measuring energy metabolism in skeletal muscle and is especially suitable for longitudinal investigations. We determined the impact of spinal cord contusion on in vivo muscle bioenergetics of the rat hind limb muscle using 31P-MRS.