Evaluation of a Time Release Ion Matrix to Regenerate Muscle from BMD Pigs: A Pilot Study

Background: Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a milder variant of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), typically presenting later in life with slower progression. While a recently developed biomaterial, Cobalt Oxide-Time Release Ion Matrix (CoO-TRIM) demonstrates promise in regenerating muscle from murine models of muscle injury and DMD, an investigation in large animals has not been performed. Hypothesis: In a porcine model of BMD, CoO-TRIM will: 1) enhance isometric torque and decrease muscle edema via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and 2) reduce gait variability through reduction of range of motion (ROM) variability in hip, knee, and ankle joints. Methods: Given the mild nature of BMD, the cranial tibial muscle (flexor) of adult male and female BMD pigs (n=2-3, age 12-13 months) was injected with 1.2% BaCl2 (0.24 ml/kg) to enhance myopathy. Following baseline measures, either Saline (vehicle control) (20 mL) or CoO-TRIM (1.38 mg/kg) suspended in sterile saline were injected into flexor and extensor muscles one week post injury. To measure isometric force, the fibular and tibial nerves were stimulated to induce flexor and extensor contractions at the tibiotarsal joint. Flexor function was assessed first then extensor. T2-weighted MRI imaging was performed on hindlimbs beginning at the hip and moving distally. Signal intensity in a standardized region of interest (ROI) was quantified and used as an index of edema. Gait kinematics were assessed by video recording of the hind limbs on a treadmill, and joint angles were extracted and ROM calculated based on five calibrated anatomical markers. Results: Flexor muscles injected with CoO-TRIM recovered 21% more isometric force compared to saline treated muscles (TRIM, 119% 95% CI -26.03 to 5.35 vs. Saline, 98% 95% CI -24.26 to 7.11 respectively), and MRI T2 signal analysis revealed a 69% reduction in edema following CoO-TRIM treatment compared to saline treated (95% CI -185.7 to 47.61). Variability in gait was 72% greater in saline treated compared to CoO-TRIM when variance was pooled across ROM data (95% CI -270.2 to 13.38). Conclusion: In a porcine model of BMD, CoO-TRIM enhanced recovery of injured muscle demonstrated by improved muscle function and locomotion. Support: Advancing Discovery to Market Award from Texas A&M University (A.B.M., P.P.N.) and NIH LRP Award from NIAMS (A.B.M.) This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.