Liver response to hemorrhagic shock and subsequent resuscitation: MRI analysis

The liver is a target for injury in low flow states. Markers of liver injury are either invasive or not rapidly responding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may offer a noninvasive alternative to evaluate liver injury due to reduced perfusion. Recently, we reported an MRI method (functional MRI [fMRI]) that enables us to follow liver perfusion by changing the enrichment of inspired gas (air, air-5% carbon dioxide, 95% oxygen-5% carbon dioxide). Rats were subjected to hemorrhagic shock (HS) (bleeding to a MAP of 25 mmHg) and randomized to no resuscitation or resuscitation with Ringer lactate (RL) or adrenaline infusion targeted to a MAP of 50 mmHg or baseline. Significantly decreased fMRI responses to hyperoxia and hypercapnia were observed immediately after HS. Liver enzymes levels, liver histology, and apoptosis assessments were normal immediately after hemorrhage, however, showed significant changes after 6 h. Functional MRI revealed that adrenaline, but not RL infusion, significantly (P < 0.01) improved liver perfusion. Similarly, liver injury, as assessed by liver enzyme levels, liver histology, and apoptosis, was attenuated to a greater extent with adrenaline resuscitation. No significant differences in liver perfusion and injury were noted between resuscitation to low (50 mmHg) versus high (baseline) MAP. This study shows that fMRI enables early assessment of changes in liver perfusion, resulting in liver injury or recovery, and therefore, it may be considered as a noninvasive, rapidly responding tool for following liver outcome subsequent to hemorrhage and resuscitation. Using fMRI, we showed that adrenaline may be preferable to RL as an initial measure to attenuate liver injury after HS.