Mitochondrial redox imaging of NASH animal model using in vivo Dynamic Nuclear Polarization MRI

Currently available non-invasive imaging technologies, including CT, MRI and ultrasonography, are only able to assess fat accumulation in the liver. Therefore, these methods are not suitable for a precise diagnosis of NASH. The standard technique for diagnosing NASH, liver biopsy, has several drawbacks, such as the higher risk of complications that accompanies invasive procedures. Here, we demonstrated that in vivo mitochondrial redox metabolism was dramatically altered at an early stage, and NASH could be accurately diagnosed by in vivo dynamic nuclear polarization-magnetic resonance imaging, with carbamoyl-PROXYL as a molecular imaging probe. In addition, this technique was feasible for distinguishing between NAFLD and NASH. Our data reveal a novel method for monitoring the dynamics of redox metabolic changes and assessing the efficacy of therapeutic agents in NAFLD/NASH.