基于MRI-PDFF及MRI-T1rho成像技术定量评估非酒精性脂肪性肝病的实验研究

非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）已超越慢性病毒性肝炎成为我国第一大肝病。无创定量评估NAFLD病程中的肝脂肪变性及肝纤维化程度是影像诊断领域的重点。本课题组前期研究表明MRI-PDFF及MRI-T1rho成像技术分别对肝脂肪变性及肝纤维化有定量评估的潜力，但尚存如：PDFF值是否受肝纤维化病理基础影响、T1rho值是否受肝脂肪变性病理基础影响等若干亟待解决的关键科学问题。本项目应用MRI-PDFF及MRI-T1rho成像技术开展动物实验及临床研究，目的是：①阐明两种成像技术分别准确定量评估NAFLD大鼠模型中肝脂肪变性及肝纤维化程度的可行性与可重复性；②阐明两成像技术相联合应用于准确定量评估NAFLD患者病程中肝脂肪变性及肝纤维化程度的可行性与可重复性。本项目研究成果可为这两种成像技术相联合应用于NAFLD患者的早期诊断、精确分期、监测疾病进展及治疗转归等方面提供重要理论依据与实践基础。

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more common than chronic viral hepatitis and has become the most common liver disease in China. Noninvasive quantitative assessment of liver steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD patients is the focus in diagnostic imaging. Our previous studies demonstrated that MRI-PDFF and MRI-T1rho have potential to quantitatively evaluate liver fat content and degree of liver fibrosis. However, a few important questions remain to be answered, such us, how does liver fibrosis affect liver PDFF values; and how does liver steatosis affect liver T1rho values. Using the NAFLD animal model, in this project, we plan to study the feasibility and repeatability of MRI-PDFF and MRI-T1rho in quantitatively evaluating hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we aim to extend our findings from the animal model to the NAFLD patient cohort, and clarify the feasibility and repeatability of MRI-PDFF and MRI-T1rho in quantitatively evaluating hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. The results of this project can provide important theoretical basis and practice experience for combined application of MRI-PDFF and MRI-T1rho in early diagnosis, accurate staging, monitoring of disease progression and treatment outcome of NAFLD patients.