Macromolecular Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) MRI Characterizes Hyperpermeability of the Intestinal Microvasculature in a Colitis Model

Katrien Vandoorne¹, Tegest Aychek², Steffen Jung², Michal Neeman¹

In this work, we imaged and characterized blood vessels in the colon in an animal colitis model, where C57 black mice were exposed to DSS in the drinking water for 7 days, and developed a protocol for detection of alterations of the microvasculature in colitis. We showed with non-invasive macromolecular DCE-MRI, plasma protein leakage to the colon, highlighting the focal patches of colitis in post contrast 3D rendering. Macromolecular DCE-MRI demonstrated to be able to identify severe colitis and the loss of plasma proteins.