The authors developed a method to quantitatively evaluate renal function using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) and a compartment model. They applied this method to evaluation of drug-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. They performed the DCE-CT studies using a total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=9 for control and n=27 for treatment). The rats in the drug-treated groups were given 1.8 mg/kg/day of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cisplatin) intraperitoneally every other day twice (n=9), four times (n=9), or six times (n=9). The rate constants for the transfer of the contrast agent (CA) from the intravascular space to the renal corpuscle and tubular space via glomerular filtration (K1), outflow of the CA from the renal tubules (k2), and the fraction of blood volume (f) were estimated from the DCE-CT data, and their functional images were generated using the linear least squares method. When estimating the above parameters, the partial volume effect (PVE) on the arterial input function was corrected using a calibration curve obtained by phantom experiments. The endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr) was also measured for comparison. The K1 images became lower and more heterogeneous and the K1 values decreased significantly with increasing cisplatin injection number (3.20+/-0.73, 2.49+/-0.75, 1.80+/-0.36, and 1.27+/-0.47 ml/ml/min for control, two-, four-, and six-times treated groups, respectively). When the PVE was not corrected, the K1 values were overestimated by 15+/-3% as compared with the case when the PVE was corrected. There was a good correlation between K1 and Ccr (r=0.903 and 0.901 for cases with and without correction of PVE, respectively). In conclusion, the authors' method using DCE-CT appears to be useful for quantitatively evaluating the extent of renal dysfunction such as renal damage due to drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
This study was undertaken to develop a method to quantitatively monitor the effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on tumour vascular activity using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT). The DCE-CT studies were performed in 13 anaesthetized rats bearing tumours. To investigate the effect of NOS inhibition, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was intravenously administered in eight rats, while only the vehicle was administered in five rats. The contrast enhancement (CE) images were generated by subtracting the CT images before and after the administration of contrast agent. The tumour blood volume (TBV) images were also generated. The CE significantly decreased after L-NNA administration, while there were no significant changes when only the vehicle was administered. There was a good correlation between CE and TBV, suggesting that CE mainly reflects TBV. In conclusion, the present method appears to be useful for monitoring the effect of NOS inhibition on tumour vascular activity.
Poland syndrome (PS), an uncommon congenital unilateral aplasia of chest wall muscles, may exhibit rare accompanying signs, such as axillary webbing or contractures. The existing literature on the specific management of axillary contractures is limited. In this report, we present the case of a 10-year-old girl with PS manifesting an axillary web containing a fibrous band, which was successfully surgically corrected by a double-opposing Z-plasty. Our surgical approach entailed a meticulous distinction between the deep fibrous band and the superficial cutaneous layer, guided by histopathological findings that indicated the presence of tendon-like tissue, ultimately yielding excellent outcomes. This report will help expand knowledge by highlighting the unique manifestation of PS and emphasizing the importance of employing appropriate treatment approaches. Moreover, addressing both tendon and skin components is essential for optimal contracture release in PS.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantifying the extent of renal dysfunction due to drug-induced nephrotoxicity using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) and to investigate the protective effects of various antioxidant agents against cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cisplatin)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using this method. Materials and Methods: The DCE-CT studies were performed in 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. The CT scanning started 4 s before a bolus intravenous injection of iodinated contrast agent (CA) (150 mgI/kg) from the tail vein using an automatic injector and lasted 90 s at 1-s intervals. The contrast clearance per unit renal volume (K 1 ) was estimated from the DCE-CT data using the Patlak model. The renal volume (V) was calculated by manually delineating the kidney on the CT image. The contrast clearance of the entire kidney (K) was obtained by 1
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