In Vivo 1H MR Spectroscopy in the Evaluation of the Serial Development of Hepatocarcinogenesis in an Experimental Rat Model

Rationale and Objectives We used a 1.5-T MR scanner to investigate in vivo hydrogen 1 (1H) MRS to evaluate metabolic changes in the hepatocarcinogenesis experimental rat model. Materials and Methods Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was induced by diethylnitrosamine in 70 treated rats with 20 normal rats used as controls. Single-voxel 1H MRS is performed to obtained the relative choline-to-lipid (Cho/lipid) ratio. The liver and tumor tissues are incised for the histologic examination. Based on the histologic result, the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis of the animal model was divided into three stages: fibrosis stage, cirrhosis stage, and HCC stage. The mean (±SD) ratio values are calculated and compared at various stages between the treated group and the control group. Results In control group, the calculated mean (±SD) Cho/lipid ratio was 0.15 ± 0.05. With the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis, the Cho/lipid ratio increased significantly, to 0.18 ± 0.05, 0.24 ± 0.07, and 0.38 ± 0.19, respectively. Conclusion The 1H MRS is technically feasible for evaluation of the metabolic changes in the animal model. A significant increase in choline-containing compounds level was observed in the HCC stage in the treated group.