Korean J Radiol.  2021 May;22(5):801-810. 10.3348/kjr.2020.0577.

Quantitative Analysis of Microperfusion in ContrastInduced Nephropathy Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: An Animal Study

• Seo N
• Oh H
• Oh HJ
• Chung YE

• KMID: 2515069
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2020.0577

Abstract

Objective
To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS).
Materials and Methods
The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN.
Results
Among CEUS parameters, AT (7.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 s, p = 0.002), AC (4.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.002), and TTP (12.5 ± 2.9 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 s, p = 0.002) were significantly prolonged in the CIN group compared to controls. PE was significantly higher in the control group than in the CIN group (17.1 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.0 dB, p = 0.004). In kidney tissue, mRNA and protein levels of the apoptotic makers were significantly higher in the CIN group than in the control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002).
Conclusion
CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.

Keyword

Contrast media; Acute kidney injury; Perfusion; Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; Animal experimentation