As people age, significant changes occur in body composition, including the loss of muscle mass and an increase in body fat. Various techniques are available for measuring body composition. The choice of technique should consider the impact of age-related changes. Leveraging our extensive experience, CD BioSciences offers a suite of services to analyze age-related body composition changes in animal models to meet the unique needs of our clients.
Fig. 1 The impact of aging on body composition.
How Do We Analyze Age-Related Body Composition Changes?
Muscle mass and strength analysis services
Maintaining muscle mass and strength is a critical factor in healthy aging. Our advanced dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans enable clients to measure lean muscle mass changes in animal models over time. Complementing this, our comprehensive muscle strength and functional assessments, such as grip strength testing, allow clients to evaluate the impact of aging on physical performance in animal models.
Fat mass analysis services
The accumulation of excess fat, particularly visceral fat, is a hallmark of aging. We use DXA scans to provide a comprehensive evaluation of fat mass distribution in animal models, enabling our clients to track changes in both subcutaneous, visceral, and abdominal fat over time.
Bone density and structure analysis services
We employ DXA technology to measure bone mineral density in animal models. Additionally, our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services provide detailed insights into the microarchitectural changes occurring within the skeletal system. By combining these advanced imaging techniques, we can provide clients with a nuanced understanding of aging-related bone loss and help them develop targeted therapies to maintain skeletal integrity.
Body water content analysis services
We utilize bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to assess the hydration status of animal models, allowing clients to monitor fluctuations in body water compartments and identify potential imbalances that may arise with advancing age.
Our Tools for Body Composition Analysis in Aging Research
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
We employ DXA, regarded as the gold standard, in body composition analysis services. Our advanced DXA technology enables clients to measure bone mineral density, lean muscle mass, and fat mass, providing a detailed snapshot of the physical status of animal models. By tracking these parameters over time, we can help clients monitor age-related changes.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis
Complementing our DXA capabilities, CD BioSciences also utilizes bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to assess body composition in animal models. This non-invasive technique measures the opposition to the flow of a safe, low-level electrical current through the body, allowing our clients to estimate total body water, intracellular water, and extracellular water.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
CD BioSciences integrates MRI into our aging research for a more comprehensive evaluation of age-related body composition. Our advanced imaging modality provides unparalleled detail, enabling clients to visualize and quantify specific tissue compartments, such as visceral fat and muscle quality. We can deliver a multifaceted analysis of the physical composition of animal models by combining MRI with our DXA and BIA techniques.
At CD BioSciences, we are committed to providing our clients with comprehensive and advanced services to analyze age-related body composition changes to support their aging research. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.
Reference
- Yasumura S, et al. In vivo animal models of body composition in aging. J Nutr, 1993, 123 (2 Suppl): 459-64.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
