Utilizing Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging for Evaluating Fatty Liver Disease Progression in Pre-clinical Mouse Models

We developed a protocol to investigate and optimize the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to non-invasive diagnosis of progressing fatty liver disease in mouse models. Eighteen 4-wk-old male C57 L/J mice were randomly assigned to one of the three groups and placed on a control diet, high-fat diet or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis diet for the next 10 wk. After 14 wk, B-mode imaging and CEUS imaging using a VisualSonics Vevo2100 system were performed. CEUS imaging and data analysis using three different parameters —peak enhancement, wash-in rate and wash-in perfusion index—revealed a significant decrease in representative blood flow in the high-fat diet group versus controls and a further significant decrease in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group (p
Source: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Original Contribution Source Type: research