scholarly journals Application Value of Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging in the Early Diagnosis of Rat Hepatic Fibrosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Guohua Fan ◽  
Yang Ya ◽  
Xiaoqiong Ni ◽  
Jinpeng Hou ◽  
Rui Yu

Objective. To assess the application value of perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in early diagnosis, quantitation, and hepatic fibrosis staging by analyzing the related parameters in hepatic fibrosis. Methods. A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into the hepatic fibrosis and control groups, and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) was used to establish the liver fibrosis model. All rats underwent PWI examination, and the trend of the time-signal intensity curve (TIC, automatically generated by the software) was observed. Also, the perfusion parameters, maximum signal reduction ratio (SRRmax), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT), were analyzed and compared with pathological staging. Results. The TIC curve was characterized by slow wash-in and wash-out with a low and wide peak. The PWI perfusion parameters were statistically significant in specific groups (P<0.05): SRRmax values (control group and F3, F4), TTP, and MTT values (control group and F2–F4, F1 and F3, F1 and F4, and F2 and F4 in addition to TTP values for F1 and F2). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a negative correlation of SRRmax with hepatic fibrosis stage (r = −0.439, P<0.05), while TTP and MTT values were positively correlated with hepatic fibrosis stage (TTP, r = 0.798; MTT, r = 0.647; all P<0.001). Conclusions. PWI perfusion parameters reflect the degree of hepatic fibrosis, especially TTP and MTT, and PWI is recommended for the early diagnosis of liver fibrosis for timely intervention and treatment of the disease and delaying its progression.

2002 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland MATERNE ◽  
Laurence ANNET ◽  
Stéphane DECHAMBRE ◽  
Christine SEMPOUX ◽  
Anne M. SMITH ◽  
...  

Interstitial collagen formation and transformation of the fenestrated hepatic sinusoids into continuous capillaries are major ultrastructural changes that occur in liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. These modifications lead to progressive restriction of blood–liver exchanges. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the permeability changes in a model of hepatic fibrosis by using dynamic computed tomography (CT) enhanced with contrast agents of different molecular masses. Dynamic single-section CT of the liver was performed after intravenous bolus administration of a low-molecular-mass contrast agent (iobitridol) and an experimental high-molecular-mass agent (P840) in normal control rabbits and in rabbits with hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic, aortic and portal venous time–density curves were fitted with a dual-input one-compartmental model to calculate the hepatic mean transit time and distribution volume of the contrast agents. In the rabbits with liver fibrosis, the mean transit time of the high-molecular-mass agent was shorter than that of the low-molecular-mass agent (10.0±1.8s and 12.0±1.2s respectively; P<0.05). The distribution volume accessible to the high-molecular-mass agent was also smaller (22.2±4.8% compared with 32.0±6.7%; P<0.01). In the normal rabbits, the mean transit times of the high- and low-molecular-mass agents did not differ significantly, and nor did their distribution volumes. Our results demonstrate decreased sinusoidal permeability for the high-molecular-mass agent P840 in a model of hepatic fibrosis. Non-invasive assessment of permeability changes in liver fibrosis can be performed with dynamic CT and contrast agents of different molecular masses.


2014 ◽  
Vol 912-914 ◽  
pp. 1940-1943
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiao Ou Li ◽  
Feng Hao ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
...  

To evaluate the control effect of Oviductus ranae on liver fibrosis in rats, and the change of TGF-β and α-SMA in liver of. To explore the mechanism of Oviductus ranae decoction on liver fibrosis. Methods Wistar female rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, model control group, colchicines group, Oviductus ranae group. Using the CCl4composite approach to make the rat modle. The course of treat-mart was 12 weeks.After treatment,All the rats was killed,and the materials and blood was taken,and to detect biochemical test of liver function after eight weeks. Investigating the variation of liver histology. Meanwhile detecting protein expression of TGF-β and α-SMA and by immunehistochemical method.Result The general condition of rats in all treatment groups are worse than the blank group,but better than the model group. And the rats in the model group were all occurred in liver fibrosis,and liver fibrosis is the most serious.In a normal rat liver tissue of TGF-β and α-SMA were significantly lower in model group and each treatment group, and there were significant differences, and the TGF-β and α-SMA in expression of liver tissue in model rats of TGF-β and α-SMA the highest. Conclusion: Oviductus ranae can effectively improve liver fibrosis rats induced by CC14liver function.Oviductus ranae can reduce the expression of TGF-β1in liver tissue of hepatic fibrosis rats induced by CCl4in. This may be one of the mechanisms of Oviductus ranae in prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. Even though both increased expression of TGF-β and α-SMA expression, is able to determine TGF-β and α-SMA for the intervention of liver TGF-β signal transduction pathway in liver fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadime Ceyda Eldeniz ◽  
Yahya Gül ◽  
Alaattin Yorulmaz ◽  
Şükrü Nail Güner ◽  
Sevgi Keles ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Ten warning signs of primary immunodeficiency (PID) were suggested by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF), to increase physician awareness of PID. These warning signs have not yet been evaluated for patients with secondary immunodeficiency (SID). This study investigated whether the 10 warning signs used for the diagnosis of PID are sufficient for the diagnosis of SID, and explored the possibility of additional signs.Methods: This prospective study was conducted between June and December 2020. The mothers of 162 patients with PID and SID, and mothers of 200 healthy children, were asked to complete a questionnaire about family and personal history in addition to the warning signs of PID developed by the JMF. A JMF score was created by giving one point for each “Yes” answer for the 10 warning signs of PID. Medical records of the patients were evaluated for possible additional warning signs for PID and SID. Results: The JMF scores of the PID (3.36 ± 1.65) and SID (3.72 ± 1.12) groups were significantly higher than the scores of the control group (0.34 ± 0.61) (p < 0.05). A sign for immunological evaluation in two patients without warning signs in the PID group was found to be chronic diarrhea. In addition to the 10 JMF warning signs, we found that consanguinity and a family history of tuberculosis were statistically significant in our PID group, compared with the SID and control groups. Conclusions: The JMF warning signs are important for early diagnosis of PID. Our study showed that these signs may also be used for the early diagnosis of SID in patients and, according to our results, in addition to the 10 JMF signs for PID, parental consanguinity, chronic diarrhea, and a family history of tuberculosis may also be considered warning signs for the early diagnosis of PID.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqiang Zhang ◽  
Yingying Sun ◽  
Haojie Wang ◽  
Yuxiang Yang ◽  
Ruiqi Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and PurposeIn this study, the therapeutic effect of Mel-incubated ADSCs on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis was investigated. MethodsThe experiment was arranged into ADSCS group, ADSCS + Mel group, Model group and Control group with 10 mice in each group. The other three groups of mice were intraperitoneally injected with 8% CCl4, and the control group was injected with the same dose of PBS twice a week for 4 weeks. From the fifth week, ADSCs group and ADSCs + Mel group mice were injected with 1×106 cells/1 ml PBS dose of ADSCs and 50 μM Mel pretreated ADSCs into tail vein, respectively, twice a week for 2 weeks, and mice in the control and model groups were injected with the same dose of PBS. Samples were tested after six weeks. ResultsIn model group, severe histomathological changes were observed in liver, including severe vacuolation, nuclear fragmentation and liver fibrosis, and these changes were ameliorated by Mel pretreated ADSCs. At the same time, RT-qPCR results showed that Mel-induced ADSCs significantly inhibited the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Caspase-8, Bax and Caspase-3), and promoted the expression of anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2). Immunohistochemical results showed that a large number of MMP-9, TGF-β, MMP-2 yellow-stained positive cells were found in the liver tissues of the model group, while the expression of positive cells was blocked by Mel-induced ADSCs. Conclusion and ImplicationsADSCs pretreated with Mel significantly improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, which provides a reference for clinical treatment of liver injury with mesenchymal stem cells.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Zhang ◽  
Shao Neng Liu ◽  
Zheng Ji Ma ◽  
Yuan Jia Ding ◽  
Min Hui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Qizhu granule, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used in clinic as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat liver fibrosis.However, the mechanism underlying its anti-hepatic fibrosis is still not clear. Liver fibrosis accompanied by liver sinusoidal pathological angiogenesis has been highlighted as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic liver disease. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of anti-capillarization of this herbal drug against liver fibrosis.Materials and methods: The liver fibrosis rats model induced by 4-week of intervention with 40% CCl4 was employed in this study. Meanwhile, low, medium and high dose serum containing Qizhu granules were prepared. Liver tissues were acquired, and liver samples were subjected to histological studies.LSECs were isolated from liver fibrosis rats and were routinely cultured for 48h in low, medium and high dose of Qizhu granules-containing serum. The fenestration of LSECs in liver fibrosis rats were observed under scanning electron microscopy. The expression of the endothelial cell surface markers CD31, SE-1 and LSECs integrin ɑVβ3, FAK, p-FAK, Ras, MAPK, p-MAPK were measured by western blot.Results: Compared with the control group, the loss of fenestration of LSECs in the model group increased. After intervention of Qizhu granule-containing serum, the fenestration of the structure of LSECs in liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 increased, especially in the high-dose Qizhu granules group. ompared with the control group, the expression levels of SE-1 and CD31 in LSECs in the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of SE-1 and CD31 in LSECs of rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 decreased after the treatment of low, medium and high dose serum containing Qizhu granules (P < 0.05). Among them, the expression levels of SE-1 and CD31 in LSECs of Qizhu granules group decreased with the increase of dosage, showing a dose-dependent relationship to a certain extent. Compared with the normal control group, the expression of integrin ɑVβ3, Ras, p-FAK and p-MAPK protein increased in the LSECs of model group(P <0.05). After treatment with Qizhu granule-containing serum, the expression of integrin ɑVβ3, p-FAK and p-MAPK protein in LSECs of liver fibrosis rats induced by CCl4 were reduced (P <0.05), and the expression of FAK, Ras and MAPK protein decreased ( P> 0.05).Conclusions: Qizhu granule could reduce the loss of fenestration of LSECs, transforming the cell phenotype of LSECs, and ameliorating the pathological remodeling of hepatic sinus capillarization in hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. It was found that Qizhu granules played an anti-fibrosis role by suppressing the expression of integrin ɑVβ3-FAK-Ras/MAPK signaling pathway of LSECs in CCl4-induced fibrosis rats.


Author(s):  
Marek Frankowski ◽  
Jerzy Świerkot ◽  
Marek Gomułkiewicz ◽  
Lucyna Korman ◽  
Marta Skoczyńska ◽  
...  

AbstractMethotrexate (MTX) is recommended as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are no strict guidelines regarding monitoring for liver damage in RA patients. This study aimed to evaluate noninvasive diagnostic procedures in assessing liver fibrosis in RA patients. Ninety-six RA patients were recruited for this study. The procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) serum level was measured in all patients. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score (ELF-1) was calculated for 82 patients. Transient elastography (TE) was performed in 91 patients, those examined were divided into two groups: a study and control group, comprising patients with and without risk factors for liver fibrosis, respectively. The TE result correlated only with the body mass index—BMI (p < 0.05); there was no correlation with the cumulative MTX dose (p = 0.33). The TE result was significantly higher in those with risk factors for liver fibrosis than in those without risk factors (TE result >  = 7.1 kPa 28/42 vs 13/41, HR = 2.103, Mann–Whitney U test, approximately 0.02). There was a positive correlation between the PIIINP level and body weight (p = 0.028), cumulative MTX dose (p = 0.007), RA activity (p = 0.028) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the ELF-1 score and age (p < 0.001), cumulative MTX dose (p = 0.007) and RA activity (p < 0.001). The PIIINP level and ELF-1 score are not organ specific, and readings may vary depending on RA activity. TE is organ specific and can be performed by a skilled ultrasonographer might be useful to assess actual liver condition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Qian Cui ◽  
FengTai He ◽  
Jiawei Hu ◽  
Shuo Li ◽  
Dongmei Guo ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate the different pharmacokinetic parameters of the DCE-MRI method on diagnosing and staging of rabbits’ liver fibrosis. Methods. We had performed DCE-MRI for rabbits that had been divided into the experiment group and the control group. Then, rabbits’ images were transferred to a work station to get three parameters such as Ktrans, Kep, and Ve, which had been measured to calculate. After data were analyzed, ROC analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of Ktrans, Kep, and Ve to judge liver fibrosis. Results. The distribution of the different liver fibrosis group was as follows: F1, n = 8; F2, n = 9; F3, n = 6; F4, n = 5. No fibrosis was deemed as F0, n = 6. Kep is statistically significant P < 0.05 for F0 and mild liver fibrosis stage, and the Kep shows AUC of 0.814. Three parameters are statistically significant for F0 and advanced liver fibrosis stage (Ktrans and Kep, P < 0.01 ; Ve, P < 0.05 ), and the Ktrans shows AUC of 0.924; the Kep shows AUC of 0.909; the Ve shows AUC of 0.848; Ktrans and Kep are statistically significant for mild and advanced liver fibrosis stages (Ktrans, P < 0.01 ; Kep, P < 0.05 ), and the Ktrans shows AUC of 0.840; the Kep shows AUC of 0.765. Both Ktrans and Kep are negatively correlated with the liver fibrosis stage. Ve is positively correlated with the liver fibrosis stage. Conclusion. Ktrans is shown to be the best DCE parameter to distinguish the fibrotic liver from the normal liver and mild and advanced fibrosis. On the contrary, Kep is moderate and Ve is worst. And Kep is a good DCE parameter to differentiate mild fibrosis from the normal liver.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Ding ◽  
Manrong Liu ◽  
Xue Wei ◽  
Ruisui Huang ◽  
Jiong Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To evaluate different stages of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys by comparing magnetic resonance-perfusion weighted imaging (MR-PWI) quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters, and confirm the best detection indicators for diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Methods A liver fibrosis model of different stages (S0–S4) was established in cynomolgus monkeys. The changes in MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters with the progression of liver fibrosis were investigated. Results MR-PWI quantitative parameters gradually decreased with the progression of liver fibrosis. Hepatic arterial perfusion index (HPI) was found to increase with the progression of liver fibrosis and significant differences of HPI between each group were observed. There was a highly positive correlation between HPI and the stages of liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that HPI had the highest efficacy of the MR-PWI quantitative parameters for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The MR-PW semi-quantitative parameters gradually reduced with the progression of liver fibrosis, and the differences were statistically significant between stages S3–S4 and S0–S2. Time to peak (TPP) gradually extended and showed a positive correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis. TTP had the highest efficacy of the semi-quantitative parameters for diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Conclusions Both the MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters of the liver fibrosis model in cynomolgus monkeys varied at different stages of liver fibrosis, and HPI and TTP were the best detection indices for quantitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of liver fibrosis, respectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  

Autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, its role is still unclear. we investigate the mRNA expression of Beclin-1 (major autophagic agent), pro-apoptotic agents (Bad, Bax), and anti-apoptotic agents (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) in blood samples withdrawn from Genotype 4 HCV-infected patients with different stages of hepatic fibrosis. The study was a retrospective one that included 30 healthy people (Control Group), 64 chronic hepatitis C patients with early hepatic fibrosis stages [grade 0 and 1 fibrosis] (F0-1 Group), and 36 chronic hepatitis C patients with Late hepatic fibrosis stages [grade 2 and 3 fibrosis] (F2-3 Group). qPCR was used to measure mRNA expression in the samples. Beclin-1, Bad, and Bax mRNA expression in F0-1 Group were significantly higher than both F2-3 Group and Control Group (P<0.001). While Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL mRNA expression in F0-1 Group were significantly lower than both F2-3 Group and Control Group (P<0.001). Beclin-1, Bad, and Bax mRNA expression were increased at the early stages of hepatic fibrosis in HCV patients, and were declined as the fibrosis progressed to more advanced stages, while Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL mRNA expression were increased as fibrosis progresses. This shows that Autophagy has an important role in the early stages of hepatic fibrosis in Genotype 4 HCV patients. These findings provide an insight into the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection, and the effect of autophagy on liver fibrosis. This may be used to provide possible biomarkers and contribute to a new therapeutic approach.


Author(s):  
Huilong Fang ◽  
Ling Yu ◽  
Da You ◽  
Nan Peng ◽  
Wanbei Guo ◽  
...  

Schistosomiasis has been a fatal obstinate disease that threatens global human health, resulting in the granulomatous inflammation and liver fibrosis.Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of hydroxyasiaticoside combined with praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis.Methods:Mice were randomly distributed into four experimental groups: normal control group, model group, praziquantel group, praziquantel + hydroxyasiaticoside group. Except for the normal control group, they were infected with Schistosomia cercariae through the abdominal skin to induce liver fibrosis. In the intervention group, mice were administered with the respective drugs by gavage after 8 weeks of infection. At the end of the treatment, mice were sacrificed to collect blood for the determination of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels. Moreover, the liver was excised, weighed, and liver indices were calculated. Histopathological examination was performed to assess liver morphology. Besides, the expression of collagen type I and III in liver was determined; the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissues were measured using Real-time PCR while ELISA and western blotting were performed on liver tissue homogenate to determine the protein expression of IL-6 and TNF-α.Results:The combination of praziquantel and hydroxyasiaticoside lowered the pathological scores of schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, the liver indice, serum AST and ALT levels, improved liver morphology, downregulated the expression levels of hepatic type I and III collagen, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the liver of mice relative to the praziquantel alone.Conclusion:The combination of hydroxyasiaticoside and praziquantel is a potential therapeutic option for schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. Notably, this combination noticeably suppresses the protein and mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) in the liver.


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