Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI in Cirrhotic Liver in Rats; with Reference to Transporter Activity and Morphological Change of Bile Canaliculi

Natsuko Tsuda¹, Osamu Matsui²

The purpose of this study was to analyze the difference of signal intensity on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI between normal and cirrhotic livers in rats in correlation with the expressions of the transporters of Gd-EOB-DTPA and the morphopathological change of bile canaliculi and to discuss the possible mechanisms of the signal profile of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in cirrhotic livers. As a result, it was found that liver cirrhosis would interfere with the uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA mediated by oatp1 and promote the elimination of Gd-EOB-DTPA mediated by mrp2. Therefore, the combination of oatp1 down-regulation and mrp2 up-regulation would lead to significant signal loss on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. In addition to the up-regulation of mrp2, the morphological change in bile canaliculi and microvilli would have an impact on Gd-EOB-DTPA elimination.