Investigation of microvascular morphological measures for skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation by image-based modelling in 3D

Abstract

The supply of oxygen in sufficient quantity is vital for the correct functioning of all organs in the human body, namely for skeletal muscle during exercise. Traditionally, microvascular oxygen supply capability is assessed by analysis of morphological measures on transverse cross-sections of muscle, e.g., capillary density or capillary-to-fibre ratio. In this work we are investigating the relationship between microvascular structure and muscle tissue oxygenation in mice. Phase contrast imaging was performed using synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SR CT) to visualize red blood cells (RBCs) within the microvasculature in mouse soleus muscle. Image-based mathematical modelling of the oxygen diffusion from the red blood cells into the muscle tissue was subsequently performed, as well as a morphometric analysis of the microvasculature. The mean tissue oxygenation was then compared to morphological measures of the microvasculature. RBC volume fraction and spacing (mean distance of any point in tissue to closest RBC) emerged as the best predictors for muscle tissue oxygenation, followed by length density (summed RBC length over muscle volume). The 2D measures of capillary density and capillary-to-fibre ratio ranked last. We therefore conclude, that in order to assess states of health of muscle tissue it is advisable to rely on 3D morphological measures rather than the traditional 2D measures.

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ORCID for Geraldine Clough: orcid.org/0000-0002-6226-8964

ORCID for Philipp Schneider: orcid.org/0000-0001-7499-3576

ORCID for Tiina Roose: orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-1063

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