Manganese dipyridoxal diphosphate-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of hepatocyte function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can detect ethanol hepatotoxicity in rats.


METHODS
Rats were treated with a single high dose of ethanol (acute) intraperitoneally or with a 36% ethanol diet (chronic) for up to 5.5 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after intravenous administration of manganese dipyridoxal diphosphate (Mn-DPDP).


RESULTS
Enhancement (acute group) was significantly lower in ethanol treated animals on T1-weighted scans (P < .02). Precontrast, a significant difference in intensity was seen on T2-weighted scans (P < .01). Electron microscopy revealed severe hepatocyte damage. In the chronic groups, there was no significant difference in intensity precontrast. Postcontrast, enhancement (ethanol group) was significantly lower on T1-weighted scans only at 2 weeks (P < .05). Electron microscopy demonstrated progressive ethanol hepatotoxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance imaging can distinguish between normal and certain types of ethanol damaged livers on T1-weighted scans. Enhancement, however, does not correlate with progressive microscopic liver damage.
Sidhu
M K
MK
Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5105.
Muller
H H
HH
Aggeler
J
J
Jones
A L
AL
Young
S W
SW
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D003287:Contrast Media; D000431:Ethanol; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D004492:Edetic Acid; C060076:N,N'-bis(pyridoxal-5-phosphate)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid