Use of Fractional Analysis for Evaluation of Liver Structure and Function in Rats In Vivo

Abstract

Fractal [corrected] and morphometrical analysis of images obtained by life-time photo- and videorecording of microhemocirculatory changes in the rats in health, experimental cirrhosis, and variants of its treatment was carried out. Differences in the fractional dimensions of the studied organs were significant and correlated with morphological values. This suggests fractal [corrected] analysis for the diagnosis and prediction of hepatic tissue status in vivo.

The Detection of Fractal Dimension With Protective Effects of Lycopene and Catechin Carbon Tetrachloride-Treated Rat's Liver

“…Olefirenko et al studied the fractal [corrected] and morphometrical analysis of images obtained by life-time photo-and videorecording of microhemocirculatory changes in the rats in health, experimental cirrhosis, and variants of its treatment was carried out. They showed the differences in the fractional dimensions of the studied organs were significant and correlated with morphological values, which suggests fractal [corrected] analysis for the diagnosis and prediction of hepatic tissue status in vivo (22). In a previous study FD was used as a prognostic factor for laryngeal carcinoma, in an other study Goutzanis and his team proved that increased FD for cellular elements is inversely correlated with survival in oral cancer (23,24).…”

“…(17). Previous studies suggest that there is less interobserver variability with fractal analysis by image analysis than with the semiquantitative score (18 (22). In a previous study FD was used as a prognostic factor for laryngeal carcinoma, in an other study Goutzanis and his team proved that increased FD for cellular elements is inversely correlated with survival in oral cancer (23,24).…”

Effects of Ghrelin on the Structural Complexity of Exocrine Pancreas Tissue Architecture

“…Fractal analysis is a well-known method used for quantification of complexity in physical and biological systems, with fractal dimension being the most commonly calculated FA parameter (Canals et al, 2000; Falconer, 2003; Warren et al, 2008; King et al, 2010). The box-counting method on binarized two-dimensional micrographs was successfully used to calculate fractal dimension in liver (Dioguardi et al, 2006; Olefirenko et al, 2009), brain (Milosevic et al, 2007), and bone (Fazzalari & Parkinson, 1996; Sanchez-Molina et al, 2012). Using a similar approach, we here demonstrate an increase in structural complexity of the exocrine pancreatic tissue in rats centrally injected with ghrelin.…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the potential effects of ghrelin on the structural properties of pancreatic tissue, and also the first to apply fractal and textural analysis methods in quantification of EP tissue cytoarchitecture. Fractal analysis is a well-known method used for quantification of complexity in physical and biological systems, with fractal dimension being the most commonly calculated FA parameter~Canals et al, 2000;Falconer, 2003;Warren et al, 2008;King et al, 2010!. The box-counting method on binarized two-dimensional micrographs was successfully used to calculate fractal dimension in liver~Dioguardi et al., 2006;Olefirenko et al, 2009!, brain~Milosevic et al, 2007!, and bone~Fazzalari & Parkinson, 1996Sanchez-Molina et al, 2012!. Using a similar approach, we here demonstrate an increase in structural complexity of the exocrine pancreatic tissue in rats centrally injected with ghrelin. Lacunarity is another complexity determinant that can be used to quantify the level of structural heterogeneity, as recently described in evaluation of microvascular morphology and remodeling~Gould et al, 2011!, and assessment of melanocytic naevi and melanoma~Gilmore et al, 2009!.…”