High resolution q-space imaging studies of water in elastin

Abstract

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.