A.P. Sokovikova1, M.V. Gulyaev2, Yu.A. Pirogov3

1–3 M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia)

An analytical review of publications devoted to the study of metabolic processes in muscle tissues using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is presented. Objective this work was to consider and evaluate the methods of proton and phosphorus NMR spectroscopy as a non-invasive analogue of biopsy in the study of muscle tissue pathologies. As the work results, an analytical review of articles has been made that discusses the use of NMR spectroscopy in the diagnosis of such pathologies of muscle tissue as Duchenne myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, diabetes mellitus and heart failure. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of molecular processes occurring in various muscle tissues with the participation of metabolic transformations of carnosine, creatine, lipids and phosphorus-containing metabolites. Also described are diagnostic methods of proton and phosphorus NMR spectroscopy in the analysis of the state of health of people during physical exertion. Metabolites play an important role in maintaining human life, and changes in their normal content can be used to judge violations in the functioning of muscle tissues. To determine the concentration of metabolites in muscle tissues, a biopsy method is usually used. Although obtaining muscle tissue samples by a biopsy is a relatively simple and safe procedure, the invasive nature of the technique limits its application. Therefore, the development of non-invasive methods for determining the concentration of metabolites is relevant. NMR spectroscopy has long been (since 1980) used in clinical practice to study the brain and other parts of the body. NMR methods can also be used to quantify the content of metabolites in muscle tissue. Their advantage is the possibility of multiple non-invasive measurements, allowing tracking the change in the concentration of the main metabolites over time. Data of this review are useful for clinic practice and can be applied in laboratory and clinical studies of muscle pathologies, as well as in the course of monitoring the health of athletes under normal and critically limiting physical activity of the body.

Sokovikova A.P., Gulyaev M.V., Pirogov Yu.A. Study of metabolic processes in muscle tissues by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Biomedicine Radioengineering. 2022. V. 25. № 2–3. Р. 58-65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j15604136-202202-06 (In Russian)

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