Value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the assessment of liver function in dogs with acute liver failure

Objective To investigate the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the assessment of liver function in dogs with acute liver failure ( ALF) . Methods A total of 16 healthy adult male Beagle dogs were randomly divided into ALF group and blank control group, with 8 dogs in each group. The dogs in the ALF group were given injection of 30% acetaminophen via the saphenous vein of the forelimb and abdominal subcutaneous injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 0. 5 ml/kg, and 12 hours later, 30% acetaminophen and 40% carbon tetrachloride were injected at half of the first dose. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI scan was performed after 24 hours, and after injection of the contrast agent Gd-EOB-DTPA ( 0. 15 ml/kg body weight) , the signal values of high-, medium-, and low-signal regions were measured during plain scan and at 20 and 26 minutes of MRI scan. Liver puncture was performed in different signal regions. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was performed for the control group, and liver puncture was performed in the corresponding regions. HE staining and electron microscopy were used for tissue examination, and the two groups were compared in terms of signal values and the results of HE staining and electron microscopy. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data at each time point between the two groups, and an analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for comparison at different time points within groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of signal values at each time point within groups. Results The ALF group had high, medium, and low signals in different time periods after Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI scan, and HE staining and electron microscopy showed varying degrees of hepatocyte injury in the high-, medium-, and low-signal regions. The ALF group had significant differences in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours ( F = 54. 909, 148. 238, and 11. 778, all P < 0. 01) . In the ALF group and the control group, the high-, medium-, and low-signal values showed significant changes during plain scan and at 20 and 26 minutes of MRI scan ( ALF group: F = 232. 69, 65. 39, and 24. 91, all P < 0. 01; control group: F = 800. 43, 817. 35, and 795. 71, all P < 0. 01) . In the ALF group, there were significant differences in the high-, medium-, and low-signal values during plain scan and at 20 and 26 minutes of MRI scan ( F = 3. 914, 24. 343, and 22. 424, all P < 0. 05) . There were significant differences between the two groups in the medium-and low-signal values at 20 minutes of MRI scan ( t =-7. 813 and-7. 492, both P < 0. 001) and the high-, medium-, and low-signal values at 26 minutes of MRI scan ( t =-3. 075, -4. 785, and-6. 326, P =0. 008, P < 0. 001, and P < 0. 001) . The reduction in corresponding signals was associated with the degree of hepatocyte injury. Conclusion Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI scan is feasible for the assessment of liver function in ALF dogs, and it can also predict the degree of liver pathological damage.