Effect of Low Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound (LITUS) on Post-traumatic Brain Edema in Rats: Evaluation by Isotropic 3-Dimensional T2 and Multi-TE T2 Weighted MRI

Abstract

Background: Brain edema is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound (LITUS) has significant anti-cerebral edema effect. T2-weighted image-based volume and T2 value measurements can sensitively reflect tissue edema. Purpose: To evaluate the effect and possible mechanisms of LITUS on brain edema by iso-voxel 3-dimensional T2WI (iso-3D T2WI) and multi-TE T2WI. Methods: Forty-five rats were randomly divided into sham control, TBI and TBI + LITUS groups ( n = 15, respectively). Iso-voxel 3-dimensional T2WI and multi-TE T2WI sequences at 3.0T to obtain T2 value and edema volume of the injury cortex. T2 values were obtained on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 after TBI and brain edema volume were obtained on days 7 and 14. Results: The T2 values of the damaged cortex in the TBI group showed a slow decreasing trend after a significant increase. For TBI+LITUS group, T2 values decreased with continuous LITUS treatment. At day 28, the T2 values were not significantly longer than the control group (adjusted P = 0.0535), but were significantly shorter than the TBI group at day 42 (adjusted P = 0.0003). The edema volume at day 7 and 14 in the LITUS group was significantly lower than the TBI group ( P = 0.0004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). AQP-4 and β-APP protein staining showed a strong positive reaction near the CCI point, TBI+LITUS group showed a medium positive reaction, and the sham control group showed a weak positive reaction. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of LITUS on post-traumatic brain edema was confirmed through T2 value and edema volume, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of AQP-4 and promoting the removal of β-APP.

Application of ultrasonography to Neuro-COVID-19

“…21 The burst of therapeutic ultrasounds is aimed at forcing the exit of SARS-CoV-2 from reservoirs or sanctuaries at the same time mechanically disrupting its molecular structures; during the following respiratory cycle, the virus and its debris would be removed by the flow of CSF and then the cycle could be repeated. In addition, it has to be considered that transcranial ultrasounds show anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects, 25 and ultrasounds may favor CSF drainage in analogy with their known effects on lymphatic drainage.…”

Application of Ultrasonography to Neuro-COVID-19

“…The burst of therapeutic ultrasounds is aimed at forcing the exit of SARS-CoV-2 from reservoirs or sanctuaries at the same time mechanically disrupting its molecular structures; during the following respiratory cycle, the virus and its debris would be removed by the flow of CSF and then the cycle could be repeated. In addition, it has to be considered that transcranial ultrasounds show anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects (Zheng et al, 2020), and ultrasounds may favor CSF drainage in analogy with their known effects on lymphatic drainage (Masson et al, 2014).…”

Data of MSCs combined with LITUS treatment to improve cognitive impairment in a moderate traumatic brain injury model in rats

“…After 28 days of modeling, six rats were randomly selected from each group, anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 2% sodium pentobarbital (2 ml/kg), and 4% paraformaldehyde was perfused to extract the brain for HE staining and immunohistochemical staining, as in the previous experiments [5] . The antibodies used for immunohistochemistry were as follows: rabbit monoclonal anti-Nestin (1:200; ab105389, abcam, UK), rabbit monoclonal anti-NSE (1:200; ab78757, abcam, UK), rabbit monoclonal anti-GFAP (1:200; ab7260, abcam, UK), rabbit monoclonal anti-GAP-43 (1:200; ab75810, abcam, UK), rabbit polyclonal anti-PSD-95 (1:200; ab18258, abcam, UK), and rabbit monoclonal anti-BDNF (1:200; ab108319, abcam, UK).…”