Multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging of liver fibrosis in a bile duct ligation mouse model

Abstract

BACKGROUND Bile duct ligation (BDL) in animals is a classical method for mimicking cholestatic fibrosis. Although different surgical techniques have been described in rats and rabbits, mouse models can be more cost-effective and reproducible for investigating cholestatic fibrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made great advances for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. More comprehensive liver fibrotic features of BDL on MRI are important. However, the utility of multiparameter MRI to detect liver fibrosis in a BDL mouse model has not been assessed. AIM To evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and multiparameter MRI characteristics of liver fibrosis in a BDL mouse model. METHODS Twenty-eight healthy adult male balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham, week 2 BDL, week 4 BDL, and week 6 BDL. Multiparameter MRI sequences, included magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, T1-weighted, T2-weighted, T2 mapping, and pre- and post-enhanced T1 mapping, were performed after sham and BDL surgery. Peripheral blood and liver tissue were collected after MRI. For statistical analysis, Student’s t -test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used. RESULTS Four mice died after BDL surgery; seven, six, five and six mice were included separately from the four groups. Signal intensities of liver parenchyma showed no difference on TI- and T2-weighted images. Bile duct volume, ΔT1 value, T2 value, and the rate of liver fibrosis increased steadily in week 2 BDL, week 4 BDL and week 6 BDL groups compared with those in the sham group ( P < 0.01). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase levels initially surged after surgery, followed by a gradual decline over time. Strong correlations were found between bile duct volume ( r = 0.84), T2 value ( r = 0.78), ΔT1 value ( r = 0.62), and hepatic fibrosis rate (all P < 0.01) in the BDL groups. CONCLUSION The BDL mouse model induces changes that can be observed on MRI. The MRI parameters correlate with the hepatic fibrosis rate and allow for detection of cholestatic fibrosis.

Native liver T1 mapping on magnetic resonance imaging for an evaluation of congestive liver injury in children with congenital heart disease

“…In a bile duct ligation mouse model, the T1 value was not correlated, but the T2 value, or the difference between pre-enhanced T1 and post-enhanced T1 values, was signi cantly correlated with the hepatic brosis rate [20]. Another study reported that the T1 mapping-based hepatocyte fraction method was more accurate than the reduction rate for determining the stage of liver brosis, suggesting that the calculation of hepatocyte fractions is a superior method for non-invasive liver brosis staging [21].…”

Post mortem analysis of hepatic volume and lipid content by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in fixed murine neonates

“…[16][17][18][19][20]66 One study that measured both was performed by using a T 1 -weighted sequence with a resolution of 0.14 Â 0.14 mm 2 and 2-mm slice thickness at 7 T. 15 The duration of the protocol was not reported. Besides, liver volume measurements in adult mice took 6 and 4 min applying a T 1 and T 2 sequence at 3 T, 67 respectively, 42 min with a 3D gradient echo technique (resolution 0.09 Â 0.117 Â 0.234 mm 3 ) at 4.7 T, 68 and furthermore, also spin and gradient echo sequences were applied for this purpose with a resolution of 0.14 Â 0.14 mm 2 at 4.7 T 69 (measurement time not reported). The comparatively long duration of our imaging protocol was attributable to our use of 20 NSA.…”

The Role of Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP Axis in Organ Fibrosis

“…CCl 4 acts as the hepatotoxic agent used to create liver injury and fibrosis mouse models such as hepatotoxicity in humans which is marked by hepatic lobule necrosis [ 11 ]. Bile duct ligation (BDL) is a method that induces cholestasis and creates a model of liver fibrosis [ 34 ].…”