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01-07-2014 | Magnetic Resonance

Application of localized ³¹P MRS saturation transfer at 7 T for measurement of ATP metabolism in the liver: reproducibility and initial clinical application in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Authors: Ladislav Valkovič, Martin Gajdošík, Stefan Traussnigg, Peter Wolf, Marek Chmelík, Christian Kienbacher, Wolfgang Bogner, Michael Krebs, Michael Trauner, Siegfried Trattnig, Martin Krššák

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2014

Abstract

Objectives

Saturation transfer (ST) phosphorus MR spectroscopy (³¹P MRS) enables in vivo insight into energy metabolism and thus could identify liver conditions currently diagnosed only by biopsy. This study assesses the reproducibility of the localized ³¹P MRS ST in liver at 7 T and tests its potential for noninvasive differentiation of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods

After the ethics committee approval, reproducibility of the localized ³¹P MRS ST at 7 T and the biological variation of acquired hepato-metabolic parameters were assessed in healthy volunteers. Subsequently, 16 suspected NAFL/NASH patients underwent MRS measurements and diagnostic liver biopsy. The Pi-to-ATP exchange parameters were compared between the groups by a Mann–Whitney U test and related to the liver fat content estimated by a single-voxel proton (¹H) MRS, measured at 3 T.

Results

The mean exchange rate constant (k) in healthy volunteers was 0.31 ± 0.03 s⁻¹ with a coefficient of variation of 9.0 %. Significantly lower exchange rates (p < 0.01) were found in NASH patients (k = 0.17 ± 0.04 s⁻¹) when compared to healthy volunteers, and NAFL patients (k = 0.30 ± 0.05 s⁻¹). Significant correlation was found between the k value and the liver fat content (r = 0.824, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the ³¹P MRS ST technique provides a tool for gaining insight into hepatic ATP metabolism and could contribute to the differentiation of NAFL and NASH.

Key Points

• 1D localized ³¹ P MRS saturation transfer in the liver is reproducible at 7 T

• NASH patients have decreased hepatic Pi-to-ATP exchange rate

• In this study, hepatic metabolic activity correlates with liver fat content

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Title: Application of localized 31P MRS saturation transfer at 7 T for measurement of ATP metabolism in the liver: reproducibility and initial clinical application in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ladislav Valkovič
Martin Gajdošík
Stefan Traussnigg
Peter Wolf
Marek Chmelík
Christian Kienbacher
Wolfgang Bogner
Michael Krebs
Michael Trauner
Siegfried Trattnig
Martin Krššák
Publication date: 01-07-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 7/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3141-x

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Application of localized ³¹P MRS saturation transfer at 7 T for measurement of ATP metabolism in the liver: reproducibility and initial clinical application in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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