Magnetic resonance imaging visualization of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques at the brachiocephalic artery of apolipoprotein E knockout mice by the blood-pool contrast agent B22956/1.
The aim of this study was to identify, by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the ability of the blood-pool contrast agent B22956/1 to detect atherosclerotic plaques developing at the brachiocephalic artery of apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-KO) mice and to possibly identify vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions. After high-fat feeding for 8 or 12 weeks, MRIs of brachiocephalic arteries were acquired before and after B22956/1 administration; then vessels were removed and analyzed by histology. B22956/1 injection caused a rapid increase in plaque signal enhancement and plaque to muscle contrast values, which remained stable up to 70 minutes. A linear correlation between signal enhancement and macrophage content was found 10 minutes after B22956/1 injection (p < .01). Signal enhancement and plaque to muscle contrast values correlated with macrophage content 40 minutes after contrast agent administration (p < .01). Finally, 70 minutes after B22956/1 infusion, plaque to muscle contrast significantly correlated with the percentage of stenosis (p < .005). B22956/1 administration to high fat-fed apoE-KO mice resulted in a rapid enhancement of atherosclerotic plaques and in a great ability to rapidly visualize vulnerable plaques, characterized by a high macrophage content. These results suggest that B22956/1 could represent an interesting tool for the identification of atherosclerotic plaques potentially leading to acute cardiovascular events.
Cinzia
C
Parolini
Marco
M
Busnelli
Giulia S
GS
Ganzetti
Federica
F
Dellera
Stefano
S
Manzini
Eugenio
E
Scanziani
Jason L
JL
Johnson
Cesare R
CR
Sirtori
Giulia
G
Chiesa
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C440468:B-22956-1; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds