Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization as a new tool for continuous monitoring of chronic liver remodelling in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Recognition of the limitations of liver biopsies has led to the need for non-invasive tests to assess liver fibrosis from intensity and kinetic point of views. The aim of the present study was to evaluate non-invasive ultrasonic tissue characterization for the continuous monitoring of this process in mice.


METHODS
Twelve-week-old male and female C57Bl6/J mice were submitted to repetitive carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) intraperitoneal injections during 8 weeks or analysed 28 days after common bile duct ligation (BDL). The extent and kinetic of the disease progression were followed by the measurement of ultrasound backscatter intensity. This was compared with histological and blood parameter analysis.


RESULTS
CCl4 induced a progressive increase in in vivo liver tissue backscatter intensity in both males and females. This increase was mainly correlated with interstitial fibrosis and, to a lower extent, with nuclear surface of the hepatocytes. A similar result was found after BDL.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate for the first time in a systematic study that ultrasound tissue characterization can be used as a reliable tool to follow liver remodelling in mice continuously.
Guimond
Alain
A
Mouse Clinical Institute, Illkirch, France.
Teletin
Marius
M
Garo
Erwan
E
D'Sa
Alwyn
A
Selloum
Mohamed
M
Champy
Marie-France
MF
Vonesch
Jean-Luc
JL
Monassier
Laurent
L
D000818:Animals; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008026:Ligation; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D003094:Collagen; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride