MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Progression in CKD: Preliminary Experience in a Reversible UUO Mouse Model

Muhammad E. Haque¹, Tammy Franklin¹, Ujala Bokhary¹, Liby Mathew², Anthony Chang³, Tipu Puri², Pottumarthi V. Prasad^1,4

Current clinical markers to assess the severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression are limited and inadequate. It is highly desirable to develop new non-invasive markers that could reliably monitor the progression of disease over time. Renal hypoxia and fibrosis are two known hallmarks of CKD. Here we have used a reversible unilateral ureteral obstruction model in mice to evaluate BOLD and diffusion MRI measurements to monitor progression of CKD We also evaluated genetic variability between two strains of mice. These methods may prove valuable in better understanding the natural progression of CKD and in evaluating novel interventions.