The application of a novel platform of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in a bioenvironmental toxic carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-12, Vol.238, p.117130, Article 117130
• Main Authors: Qiuling, Liao, Qilin, Yu, Cheng, Yu, Minping, Zhang, Kangning, Wang, Enhua, Xiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioenvironmental toxin; carbon; Carbon tetrachloride; fibrosis; histopathology; inflammation; intraperitoneal injection; liver; liver cirrhosis; Liver fibrosis; liver function; Magnetic resonance imaging; magnetism; mice; Native T1; olive oil; toxicity; ΔT1
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117130

The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish complex histopathological changes in liver fibrosis has not yet been systematically established. The purpose of this study is to gauge the efficacy of a cutting-edge MRI platform for evaluating ecotoxicologically hazardous carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis, while also scrutinizing the relationship between MRI and its histopathological features. Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, each with 6 mice. Control mice received an intraperitoneal injection of olive oil, while the experimental mice received different doses of intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Both sets underwent this process twice per week over a duration of 5 weeks. MRI measurements encompassed T1WI, T2WI, T1 mapping, T2 mapping, T2* mapping. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed and classified using Metavir and activity scoring systems. CCl4 successfully induced liver fibrosis in mice, showing an increasing extent of liver fibrosis and liver function damage with the increasing dosage of CCl4. Compared with the control group, T1, ΔT1, and T2 in the experimental group were considerably elevated (P