Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as a longitudinal outcome measure of cancer-related muscle wasting in mice

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230695
• Publication Date: 2020-06-19T17:22:36Z
• Authors: Calvin L. Cole; Christopher A. Beck; Deja Robinson; Jian Ye; Bradley Mills; Scott A. Gerber; Edward M. Schwarz; David Linehan
• Keywords: Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry; Dual energy

Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for its associated skeletal muscle wasting (SMW) and mortality. Currently, the relationships between PDAC, SMW, survival are poorly understood. Thus, there great need a faithful small animal model with quantitative longitudinal outcome measures that recapitulate clinical to define SMW onset assess progression. Therefore, we aimed validate dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as measure of lean mass, demonstrate utility quantify in KCKO murine PDAC. Methods In vivo body composition of: 1) untreated mice at 5, 8, 12, 18, 22 weeks age (n = 4) 2) cohort 5) without PDAC 5), was determined via DEXA mass lower hind limbs predicted region interest analysis by two-independent observers. Total weight determined. Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were weighed processed histomorphometry immediately post-mortem. Statistical differences groups assessed using ANOVA Student's t-tests. Linear regression models correlation used association TA reproducibility quantified intraclass coefficient (ICC). Results Lean growing correlated (r2 0.94; p <0.0001) 0.89; <0.0001). measurements highly reproducible observers (ICC 0.95; 95% CI: 0.89–0.98). also 0.76; Significant tumor-bearing detected within 38 days implantation, DEXA, histomorphometry. Conclusions mice. The syngeneic bona fide can be DEXA.