Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Partial Lobular Hepatectomy: A Surgical Model for Morphologic Liver Regeneration
Published on: May 31, 2018
Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging of liver regeneration in a standardized partial hepatectomy rat model
Caixin Qiu1, Shuangshuang Xie1, Yajie Sun1
1Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Imaging Medicine, No.24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China.
Background:
We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and multi-parameter MRI characteristics of liver regeneration (LR) in a standard partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model.
Methods:
Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: MR scan group (n = 14) and pathologic analysis (PA) group (n = 56). All 14 rats in the MR group underwent liver T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and diffusion kurtosis imaging before and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after 70% hepatectomy. Seven rats in the PA group were euthanized at each time point to determine Ki-67 indices, hepatocyte size (HTS), steatosis grade, and inflammation score.
Results:
Liver T1 and T2 values increased to maximum on day 2 (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), D and K values decreased to minimum on day 3 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), then all parameters returned to baseline gradually. Hepatocyte Ki-67, hepatocyte size, steatosis grade, and inflammation score initially increased after surgery (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), followed by a gradual decline over time. Both T2 and K values correlated well with Ki-67 indices (r = 0.765 and - 0.807, respectively; both P < 0.001), inflammation (r = 0.809 and - 0.724, respectively; both P < 0.001), steatosis grade (r = 0.814 and - 0.725, respectively; both P < 0.001), and HTS (r = 0.830 and - 0.615, respectively; both P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
PH induced liver changes that can be observed on MRI. The MRI parameters correlate with the LR activity and allow monitoring of LR process.
Insights
Multi-parameter MRI accurately reflects liver regeneration (LR) after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. MRI parameters correlate with pathological changes, enabling effective monitoring of the LR process.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats is a standard model for studying liver regeneration (LR).
- Understanding the correlation between pathological changes and MRI characteristics of LR is crucial for monitoring liver recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between pathological changes and multi-parameter MRI characteristics of liver regeneration (LR) in a rat model following partial hepatectomy (PH).
Main Methods:
- Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 70% hepatectomy.
- Multi-parameter MRI (T1 mapping, T2 mapping, diffusion kurtosis imaging) was performed at various time points post-PH.
- Pathological analysis included Ki-67 indices, hepatocyte size (HTS), steatosis grade, and inflammation score.
Main Results:
- MRI parameters (T1, T2, D, K) showed significant changes post-PH, returning to baseline over time.
- Pathological markers (Ki-67, HTS, steatosis, inflammation) also exhibited dynamic changes post-surgery.
- T2 and K values demonstrated strong correlations with Ki-67, inflammation, steatosis grade, and HTS.
Conclusions:
- Partial hepatectomy induces observable changes in the liver that are detectable by MRI.
- Multi-parameter MRI parameters correlate with liver regeneration activity and can be used to monitor the regeneration process.
