Signal profile on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cirrhosis induced in rats: correlation with transporter expression

Abstract

Our findings showed that the mrp2 expression in cirrhosis increases in comparison with NASH, and there was a paradoxical correlation between the fibrosis rate and mrp2 expression.

Effect of Liver Disease on Hepatic Transporter Expression and Function

“…74,180 This is supported by reports of reduced biliary excretion of acetaminophen glucuronide and pemetrexed in rats, consistent with impaired Mrp2 function. 181,184 These findings corroborate enhanced hepatic retention and a prolonged half-life of the liver contrast agent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in NASH-induced rats. 184 In contrast to Hardwick et al, who reported an increase in total MRP2 in human liver biopsies, a recent study reported decreased MRP2 protein in livers from NASH patients, which correlated inversely with progression of NAFLD.…”

“…181,184 These findings corroborate enhanced hepatic retention and a prolonged half-life of the liver contrast agent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in NASH-induced rats. 184 In contrast to Hardwick et al, who reported an increase in total MRP2 in human liver biopsies, a recent study reported decreased MRP2 protein in livers from NASH patients, which correlated inversely with progression of NAFLD. 185,180 However, much of the increased MRP2 in this study was only partially glycosylated; complete glycosylation of MRP2 is required for plasma membrane trafficking.…”

CT and MR Imaging Diagnosis and Staging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Part I. Development, Growth, and Spread: Key Pathologic and Imaging Aspects

“…Cirrhotic nodules that are hyperenhanced in the arterial phase have been reported, although the mechanism is unclear because cirrhotic nodules do not show histologic evidence of neo-arterialization (123). Since OATP expression is preserved, cirrhotic nodules typically have similar signal intensity to surrounding liver parenchyma in the hepatobiliary phase after hepatobiliary contrast agent administration (124) or they may appear subtly hyperintense relative to cirrhotic scars, which do not contain hepatocytes and hence do not uptake the agents. Some cirrhotic nodules may be markedly more hyperintense in the hepatobiliary phase than background nodules, presumably because they have sufficient hepatocellular function to take up the agent but not to excrete it (125).…”

Assessment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats Using Quantitative Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced MRI

“…Recently, several imaging techniques have been used to noninvasively assess NAFLD. For example, Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown the liver signal profile of NASH to be different from that of cirrhosis in rats . Diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI on the basis of the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) theory in patients with type 2 diabetes has revealed that steatosis can affect diffusion parameters and perfusion fraction .…”