Muscle phenotype of a rat model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Introduction: Our aim was to assess key muscle imaging and contractility parameters in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) rat model (Dmd-KO rat), which have not yet been characterized sufficiently. Methods: We performed in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for thigh and leg muscles, and performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and in-vivo muscle contractility testing in specific hindlimb muscles. Results: MRI prior to testing muscle contractility revealed multiple, unevenly distributed focal hyperintensities in the Dmd-KO rat quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles. H&E staining showed corresponding areas of inflammation and ongoing regeneration. In-vivo contractile testing showed maximal force generated by Dmd-KO muscles was significantly lower, and susceptibility to injury was similar to two-fold greater in the Dmd-KO rats compared to wild-type (WT) rats. Discussion: Together, the MRI findings, histological findings, and the low strength and high susceptibility to injury in muscles support use of the Dmd-KO rat as an animal model of DMD.