High resolution q-space imaging studies of water in elastin.
We report on the direct measurement of the molecular diffusion coefficients of water confined to purified bovine nuchal ligament elastin by high resolution q-space NMR imaging. The experimental data indicate that water trapped within an elastin fiber has two distinguishable molecular diffusion coefficients. The component with the slowest mobility has a diffusion coefficient on the order of 10(-6) cm(2)/s that varies inversely with the diffusion time and is seen to reduce near 37 degrees C. The component with higher mobility has a diffusion coefficient reminiscent of free water but is observed to also behave similarly at 37 degrees C. From our experimental data we extract the surface-to-volume ratio of pores within elastin and associated changes as a function of temperature.
Boutis
Gregory
G
Department of Earth and Physical Sciences, York College of The City University of New York, Jamaica, NY 11451, USA. gboutis@york.cuny.edu
Renner
Christopher
C
Isahkarov
Tamara
T
Islam
Tasneem
T
Kannangara
Lahiru
L
Kaur
Pavitarjit
P
Mananga
Eugene
E
Ntekim
Atim
A
Rumala
Yisa
Y
Wei
Doug
D
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004058:Diffusion; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008022:Ligaments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*