MANGANESE DIPYRIDOXAL DIPHOSPHATE ENHANCED MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGINGIN THE EVALUATION OF HEPATOCYTE FUNCTION

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To determine whether contrast-enhanced magne tic resonance imaging can detect ethanol hepatotoxicity in rats. METHO DS. Rats were treated with a single high dose of ethanol (acute) intra peritoneally or with a 36% ethanol diet (chronic) for up to 5.5 months . Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after intravenou s administration of manganese dipyridoxal diphosphate (Mn-DPDP). RESUL TS. Enhancement (acute group) was significantly lower in ethanol treat ed animals on T1-weighted scans (P < .02). Precontrast, a significant difference in intensity was seen on T2-weighted scans (P < .01). Elect ron microscopy revealed severe hepatocyte damage. In the chronic group s, there was no significant difference in intensity precontrast. Postc ontrast, enhancement (ethanol group) was significantly lower on T1-wei ghted scans only at 2 weeks (P < .05). Electron microscopy demonstrate d progressive ethanol hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS. Magnetic resonance imaging can distinguish between normal and certain types of ethanol da maged livers on T1-weighted scans. Enhancement, however, does not corr elate with progressive microscopic chronic liver damage.