Effect of muscular contraction on magnetization transfer detected at 1.5T

Abstract

The effect of rigor (formation of actomyosin complexes) on magnetization transfer was observed with a 1.5T clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system. The magnetization transfer ratio of chemically skinned (calcium-sensitive) muscle fiber preparations increased much more in a rigor state than in a relaxed state, while that of calcium-insensitive fiber preparations and solutions showed no difference. These results suggest that the formation of actomyosin complexes increased the magnetization transfer ratio. A clinical MR system is not only effective for medical imaging, but also has the potential to demonstrate physiological characteristics.