Monitoring Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy Using T1- and T2-Weighted Imaging: An Animal Study

Abstract

Purpose Currently, diabetes and the consequent DN are considered a major public health issue. However, the mechanism of DN and its treatment require further clarification. This study proposed noninvasive T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI protocols for the longitudinal assessment of kidney disease progression after DN induction in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Methods The changes in MRI image indices over time between control and DN SD rats were investigated. The volumes of the bilateral kidneys and the signals intensities (SIs) of the bilateral kidneys, renal pelvis, renal cortex, and renal medulla on turbo spin echo T1W and T2W images were obtained to observe DN progression in the rat kidneys. Results The results indicated that the edges of kidneys were clearer and sharper in the DN rats than in the control rats. The time-varying SIs of the bilateral whole kidneys, renal cortex, renal pelvis, and renal medulla on T1W and T2W images were significantly larger in the DN rats than in the control rats. Moreover, the volumes of both the left and right kidneys were significantly larger in the DN rats than in the control rats. Conclusion High-quality T1W and T2W images can be used to assess DN progression in SD rats’ kidney. Our results might be applicable to clinical routine diagnostic examinations that may improve diagnostic accuracy. Further development of the MRI technology for early DN detection and treatment is warranted.

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