Abstract
The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of hyperpolarized3He and129Xe gases were measured in the lungs of rabbits with elastase-induced emphysema and correlated against the mean chord length from lung histology. In vivo measurements were performed at baseline and 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk after instillation of elastase (mild and moderate emphysema groups) or saline (control group). ADCs were determined from acquisitions that used two b values. To investigate the effect of b value on the results, b-value pairs of 0 and 1.6 s/cm2and 0 and 4.0 s/cm2were used for3He, and b-value pairs of 0 and 5.0 s/cm2and 0 and 10.0 s/cm2were used for129Xe. At 8 wk after instillation, the rabbits were euthanized, and the lungs were analyzed histologically and morphometrically. ADCs for the rabbits in the control group did not change significantly from baseline to week 8, whereas ADCs for the rabbits in the emphysema groups increased significantly (P < 0.05) for all gas and b-value combinations except129Xe with the b-value pair of 0 and 5.0 s/cm2. The largest percent change in mean ADC from baseline to week 8 (15.3%) occurred with3He and the b-value pair of 0 and 1.6 s/cm2for rabbits in the moderate emphysema group. ADCs (all b values) were strongly correlated (r = 0.62-0.80, P < 0.001) with mean chord lengths from histology. These results further support the ability of diffusion-weighted MRI with hyperpolarized gases to detect regional and global structural changes of emphysema within the lung.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1273-1280 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physiology |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Elastase
- Hyperpolarized gas magnetic resonance imaging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Physiology (medical)