Texture analysis of T1 and T2 weighted images allows to identify STZ-induced diabetic sarcopenia rats with skeletal muscle fiber atrophy

Motivation: Looking for a convenient tool to detect the skeletal muscle fiber atrophy non-invasively in the early stage of diabetic sarcopenia. Goal(s): This study aims to assess the pathological changes in skeletal muscle of diabetic sarcopenia rats using muscle MR texture analysis. Approach: Type 1 diabetic sarcopenia rat model was conducted via STZ intraperitoneal injection. 2D MR texture features of the gastrocnemius muscle were extracted, followed by histopathological examination using HE stains. Results: Muscle MR texture features exhibited significant differences between the diabetic sarcopenia group and the control group, and demonstrated a strong correlation with pathological characteristics of skeletal muscle fibers. Impact: Texture features derived from muscle MR images show potential for non-invasively identifying skeletal muscle atrophy in diabetic sarcopenic rats and providing insights into underlying disease mechanisms.