[Application of magnetic resonance contrast agent ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide combined with magnetic transfer imaging in the animal model of experimental allergic encephalopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the sensitivity of magnetic resonance contrast agent ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) enhancement scan in detecting experimental allergic encephalopathy (EAE) lesions and the change of magnetic transfer of USPIO enhancement lesions in the animal model of EAE.


METHODS
The routine T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, three dimensional T1 magnetic transfer, three dimensional T1 no magnetic transfer, Dimeglumine Gadopentetate injection (Gd-DTPA) enhancement, and USPIO enhancement scan were performed in 11 EAE rats and 10 control rats respectively. The sensitivity of USPIO and Gd-DTPA enhancement in detecting the lesions in EAE rats was calculated. Magnetic transfer ratio (MTR) of USPIO enhancement area for the first time in EAE rats and MTR of the same area of the last scan were calculated respectively. HE and myelin staining of brain tissues were performed.


RESULTS
No abnormally enhanced lesions were showed in EAE rats' brain in Gd-DTPA enhancement scan, while abnormally enhanced lesions were showed in 11 EAE rats' brain in USPIO enhancement scan. The MTR value of USPIO enhancement area for the first time was significantly different from MTR of the same area of the last scan in EAE rats (P < 0.05). Inflammation cells and demyelination lesions were found in USPIO enhancement area histopathologically. There were no positive findings in control rats.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity of USPIO enhancement scan in detecting EAE lesions was high. Magnetic transfer imaging, together with USPIO enhancement scan, was helpful to determine the features of the EAE lesions.
Wang
Fang
F
Department of Radiology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Lu
Jing-Jing
JJ
Jin
Zheng-Yu
ZY
Xu
Yan
Y
Guan
Hong-Zhi
HZ
Cai
Jiong
J
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C097921:ferumoxtran-10