Efficacy of Ultrasound Microbubble-HGF Complex for Treating Hepatic Fibrosis and its Relation with Perfusion Weighted Imaging
Efficacy of Ultrasound Microbubble-HGF Complex for Treating Hepatic Fibrosis and its Relation with Perfusion Weighted Imaging
Shou-Hong Zhang1*, Ying Zhang1, Kun-Ming Wen2, Wei Wu3 and Wen-Yan Li3
ABSTRACT
We explored the feasibility of treating liver fibrosis with human Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) carried by biotinylated ultrasound microbubbles plus biotinlated cationic nano-liposome composites (Bio-MB+Bio-CNLP) in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. In addition, we investigated the staging of hepatic fibrosis by using Perfusion-Weighted Imaging (PWI). We established a BDL rat model of hepatic fibrosis. HGF carrier was administered through tail-vein injections. The gene therapy efficacy was evaluated in vivo. Before and after treatment the rats were examined with MR-PWI. The perfusion parameters of PWl were compared with the fibrosis stage. The total fibrous tissue in the liver of rats treated with HGF was lower than that in control group. The time-signal intensity curve (TIC) peak of liver parenchyma of rats with hepatic fibrosis was characterized by a slow wash-in –out. A correlation was found between the perfusion parameters and the stage of fibrosis. As the stage of fibrosis increased, the wash-in and -out rates decreased progressively. The use of Bio-MB+Bio-CNLP is an effective and novel vector for gene delivery in vivo. Further, we confirm that HGF represents a valid liver anti-fibrotic molecule. PWI might be an effective method for quantifying the severity of liver fibrosis.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
February 2020
Vol. 52, Iss. 1, Pages 1-424
