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Eriksen PL, Thomsen KL, Hamilton-Dutoit S, Vilstrup DMSH, Sørensen M. Experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes regional liver functional deficits as measured by the capacity for galactose metabolism while whole liver function is preserved. BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22:541. [PMID: 36575375 PMCID: PMC9793673 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02574-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) calls for improved understanding of how the disease affects metabolic liver function. AIMS To investigate in vivo effects of different NAFLD stages on metabolic liver function, quantified as regional and total capacity for galactose metabolism in a NAFLD model. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 1 or 12 weeks, modelling early or late NAFLD, respectively. Each NAFLD group (n = 8 each) had a control group on standard chow (n = 8 each). Metabolic liver function was assessed by 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose positron emission tomography; regional galactose metabolism was assessed as standardised uptake value (SUV). Liver tissue was harvested for histology and fat quantification. RESULTS Early NAFLD had median 18% fat by liver volume. Late NAFLD had median 32% fat and varying features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Median SUV reflecting regional galactose metabolism was reduced in early NAFLD (9.8) and more so in late NAFLD (7.4; p = 0.02), both significantly lower than in controls (12.5). In early NAFLD, lower SUV was quantitatively explained by fat infiltration. In late NAFLD, the SUV decrease was beyond that attributable to fat; probably related to structural NASH features. Total capacity for galactose elimination was intact in both groups, which in late NAFLD was attained by increased fat-free liver mass to 21 g, versus 15 g in early NAFLD and controls (both p ≤ 0.002). CONCLUSION Regional metabolic liver function was compromised in NAFLD by fat infiltration and structural changes. Still, whole liver metabolic function was preserved in late NAFLD by a marked increase in the fat-free liver mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lykke Eriksen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Randers Regional Hospital, Skovlyvej 15, 8930, Randers, Denmark.
| | - Karen Louise Thomsen
- grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Stephen Hamilton-Dutoit
- grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - DMSc Hendrik Vilstrup
- grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michael Sørensen
- grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark ,grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Nuclear Medicine & PET, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark ,grid.416838.00000 0004 0646 9184Department of Internal Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Heibergs Alle 5A, 8800 Viborg, Denmark
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2
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Automated GMP Production and Preclinical Evaluation of [ 68Ga]Ga-TEoS-DAZA and [ 68Ga]Ga-TMoS-DAZA. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122695. [PMID: 36559188 PMCID: PMC9783202 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
[68Ga]Ga-TEoS-DAZA and [68Ga]Ga-TMoS-DAZA are two novel radiotracers suitable for functional PET liver imaging. Due to their specific liver uptake and biliary excretion, the tracers may be applied for segmental liver function quantification, gall tree imaging and the differential diagnosis of liver nodules. The purpose of this study was to investigate problems that occurred initially during the development of the GMP compliant synthesis procedure and to evaluate the tracers in a preclinical model. After low radiolabeling yields were attributed to precursor instability at high temperatures, an optimized radiolabeling procedure was established. Quality controls were in accordance with Ph. Eur. requirements and gave compliant results, although the method for the determination of the 68Ga colloid is partially inhibited due to the presence of a radioactive by-product. The determination of logP revealed [68Ga]Ga-TEoS-DAZA (ethoxy bearing) to be more lipophilic than [68Ga]Ga-TMoS-DAZA (methoxy bearing). Accordingly, biodistribution studies in an in ovo model showed a higher liver uptake for [68Ga]Ga-TEoS-DAZA. In dynamic in ovo PET imaging, rapid tracer accumulation in the liver was observed. Similarly, the activity in the intestines rose steadily within the first hour p.i., indicating biliary excretion. As [68Ga]Ga-TEoS-DAZA and [68Ga]Ga-TMoS-DAZA can be prepared according to GMP guidelines, transition into the early clinical phase is now possible.
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3
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Tadimalla S, Wang W, Haworth A. Role of Functional MRI in Liver SBRT: Current Use and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235860. [PMID: 36497342 PMCID: PMC9739660 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment for liver cancers whereby large doses of radiation can be delivered precisely to target lesions in 3-5 fractions. The target dose is limited by the dose that can be safely delivered to the non-tumour liver, which depends on the baseline liver functional reserve. Current liver SBRT guidelines assume uniform liver function in the non-tumour liver. However, the assumption of uniform liver function is false in liver disease due to the presence of cirrhosis, damage due to previous chemo- or ablative therapies or irradiation, and fatty liver disease. Anatomical information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used for SBRT planning. While its current use is limited to the identification of target location and size, functional MRI techniques also offer the ability to quantify and spatially map liver tissue microstructure and function. This review summarises and discusses the advantages offered by functional MRI methods for SBRT treatment planning and the potential for adaptive SBRT workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirisha Tadimalla
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Wei Wang
- Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Annette Haworth
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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4
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Zhou PX, Zhang Y, Zhang QB, Zhang GQ, Yu H, Zhang SX. Functional Liver Imaging in Radiotherapy for Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:898435. [PMID: 35785217 PMCID: PMC9247161 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.898435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Functional liver imaging can identify functional liver distribution heterogeneity and integrate it into radiotherapy planning. The feasibility and clinical benefit of functional liver-sparing radiotherapy planning are currently unknown. Methods A comprehensive search of several primary databases was performed to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric and clinical benefits of functional liver-sparing planning radiotherapy. Secondary objectives were to assess the ability of functional imaging to predict the risk of radiation-induced liver toxicity (RILT), and the dose-response relationship after radiotherapy. Results A total of 20 publications were enrolled in descriptive tables and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that mean functional liver dose (f-MLD) was reduced by 1.0 Gy [95%CI: (-0.13, 2.13)], standard mean differences (SMD) of functional liver volume receiving ≥20 Gy (fV20) decreased by 0.25 [95%CI: (-0.14, 0.65)] when planning was optimized to sparing functional liver (P >0.05). Seven clinical prospective studies reported functional liver-sparing planning-guided radiotherapy leads to a low incidence of RILD, and the single rate meta-analysis showed that the RILD (defined as CTP score increase ≥2) incidence was 0.04 [95%CI: (0.00, 0.11), P <0.05]. Four studies showed that functional liver imaging had a higher value to predict RILT than conventional anatomical CT. Four studies established dose-response relationships in functional liver imaging after radiotherapy. Conclusion Although functional imaging modalities and definitions are heterogeneous between studies, but incorporation into radiotherapy procedures for liver cancer patients may provide clinical benefits. Further validation in randomized clinical trials will be required in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shu-Xu Zhang
- Radiotherapy Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Current Evidence and Perspectives. Biomolecules 2021; 12:biom12010056. [PMID: 35053205 PMCID: PMC8774162 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD begins as a relatively benign hepatic steatosis which can evolve to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases when fibrosis is present. NAFLD represents a complex process implicating numerous factors—genetic, metabolic, and dietary—intertwined in a multi-hit etiopathogenetic model. Recent data have highlighted the role of gut dysbiosis, which may render the bowel more permeable, leading to increased free fatty acid absorption, bacterial migration, and a parallel release of toxic bacterial products, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and proinflammatory cytokines that initiate and sustain inflammation. Although gut dysbiosis is present in each disease stage, there is currently no single microbial signature to distinguish or predict which patients will evolve from NAFLD to NASH and HCC. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the majority of patients with NAFLD/NASH exhibit increased numbers of Bacteroidetes and differences in the presence of Firmicutes, resulting in a decreased F/B ratio in most studies. They also present an increased proportion of species belonging to Clostridium, Anaerobacter, Streptococcus, Escherichia, and Lactobacillus, whereas Oscillibacter, Flavonifaractor, Odoribacter, and Alistipes spp. are less prominent. In comparison to healthy controls, patients with NASH show a higher abundance of Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia spp., while Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila are diminished. Children with NAFLD/NASH have a decreased proportion of Oscillospira spp. accompanied by an elevated proportion of Dorea, Blautia, Prevotella copri, and Ruminococcus spp. Gut microbiota composition may vary between population groups and different stages of NAFLD, making any conclusive or causative claims about gut microbiota profiles in NAFLD patients challenging. Moreover, various metabolites may be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, such as short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide, bile acids, choline and trimethylamine-N-oxide, and ammonia. In this review, we summarize the role of the gut microbiome and metabolites in NAFLD pathogenesis, and we discuss potential preventive and therapeutic interventions related to the gut microbiome, such as the administration of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, antibiotics, and bacteriophages, as well as the contribution of bariatric surgery and fecal microbiota transplantation in the therapeutic armamentarium against NAFLD. Larger and longer-term prospective studies, including well-defined cohorts as well as a multi-omics approach, are required to better identify the associations between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolites, and NAFLD occurrence and progression.
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Christ B, Collatz M, Dahmen U, Herrmann KH, Höpfl S, König M, Lambers L, Marz M, Meyer D, Radde N, Reichenbach JR, Ricken T, Tautenhahn HM. Hepatectomy-Induced Alterations in Hepatic Perfusion and Function - Toward Multi-Scale Computational Modeling for a Better Prediction of Post-hepatectomy Liver Function. Front Physiol 2021; 12:733868. [PMID: 34867441 PMCID: PMC8637208 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.733868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver resection causes marked perfusion alterations in the liver remnant both on the organ scale (vascular anatomy) and on the microscale (sinusoidal blood flow on tissue level). These changes in perfusion affect hepatic functions via direct alterations in blood supply and drainage, followed by indirect changes of biomechanical tissue properties and cellular function. Changes in blood flow impose compression, tension and shear forces on the liver tissue. These forces are perceived by mechanosensors on parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells of the liver and regulate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions as well as cellular signaling and metabolism. These interactions are key players in tissue growth and remodeling, a prerequisite to restore tissue function after PHx. Their dysregulation is associated with metabolic impairment of the liver eventually leading to liver failure, a serious post-hepatectomy complication with high morbidity and mortality. Though certain links are known, the overall functional change after liver surgery is not understood due to complex feedback loops, non-linearities, spatial heterogeneities and different time-scales of events. Computational modeling is a unique approach to gain a better understanding of complex biomedical systems. This approach allows (i) integration of heterogeneous data and knowledge on multiple scales into a consistent view of how perfusion is related to hepatic function; (ii) testing and generating hypotheses based on predictive models, which must be validated experimentally and clinically. In the long term, computational modeling will (iii) support surgical planning by predicting surgery-induced perfusion perturbations and their functional (metabolic) consequences; and thereby (iv) allow minimizing surgical risks for the individual patient. Here, we review the alterations of hepatic perfusion, biomechanical properties and function associated with hepatectomy. Specifically, we provide an overview over the clinical problem, preoperative diagnostics, functional imaging approaches, experimental approaches in animal models, mechanoperception in the liver and impact on cellular metabolism, omics approaches with a focus on transcriptomics, data integration and uncertainty analysis, and computational modeling on multiple scales. Finally, we provide a perspective on how multi-scale computational models, which couple perfusion changes to hepatic function, could become part of clinical workflows to predict and optimize patient outcome after complex liver surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Christ
- Cell Transplantation/Molecular Hepatology Lab, Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maximilian Collatz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Optisch-Molekulare Diagnostik und Systemtechnologié, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Jena, Germany
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Uta Dahmen
- Experimental Transplantation Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Herrmann
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Höpfl
- Faculty of Engineering Design, Production Engineering and Automotive Engineering, Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthias König
- Systems Medicine of the Liver Lab, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Lambers
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, Institute of Mechanics, Structural Analysis and Dynamics, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Manja Marz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Daria Meyer
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Nicole Radde
- Faculty of Engineering Design, Production Engineering and Automotive Engineering, Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen R. Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Tim Ricken
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy, Institute of Mechanics, Structural Analysis and Dynamics, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans-Michael Tautenhahn
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Sørensen M, Fode MM, Petersen JB, Holt MI, Høyer M. Effect of stereotactic body radiotherapy on regional metabolic liver function investigated in patients by dynamic [ 18F]FDGal PET/CT. Radiat Oncol 2021; 16:192. [PMID: 34598730 PMCID: PMC8485519 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-021-01909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used for treatment of liver tumors but the effect on metabolic liver function in surrounding tissue is largely unknown. Using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-galactose ([18F]FDGal) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), we aimed to determine a dose–response relationship between radiation dose and metabolic liver function as well as recovery. Procedures. One male subject with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and five subjects (1 female, 4 male) with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (mCRC) underwent [18F]FDGal PET/CT before SBRT and after 1 and 3 months. The dose response was calculated using the data after 1 month and the relative recovery was evaluated after 3 months. All patients had normal liver function at time of inclusion. Results A linear dose–response relationship for the individual liver voxel dose was seen until approximately 30 Gy. By fitting a polynomial curve to data, a mean TD50 of 18 Gy was determined with a 95% CI from 12 to 26 Gy. After 3 months, a substantial recovery was observed except in tissue receiving more than 25 Gy. Conclusions [18F]FDGal PET/CT makes it possible to determine a dose–response relationship between radiation dose and metabolic liver function, here with a TD50 of 18 Gy (95% CI 12–26 Gy). Moreover, the method makes it possible to estimate metabolic recovery in liver tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sørensen
- Departement of Nuclear Medicine & PET, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. .,Departement of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, C116, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark.
| | - Mette Marie Fode
- Departement of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | - Marianne Ingerslev Holt
- Departement of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Genetics, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Morten Høyer
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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Cognitive Dysfunction in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Current Knowledge, Mechanisms and Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040673. [PMID: 33572481 PMCID: PMC7916374 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome and now seemingly affects one-fourth of the world population. Features associated with NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome have frequently been linked to cognitive dysfunction, i.e. systemic inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and sleep apnoea. However, emerging evidence suggests that NAFLD may be a cause of cognitive dysfunction independent of these factors. NAFLD in addition exhibits dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and impaired urea cycle function, favouring systemic ammonia accumulation and further promotes systemic inflammation. Such disruption of the gut–liver–brain axis is essential in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy, the neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with progressive liver disease. Considering the growing burden of NAFLD, the morbidity from cognitive impairment is expected to have huge societal and economic impact. The present paper provides a review of the available evidence for cognitive dysfunction in NAFLD and outlines its possible mechanisms. Moreover, the clinical challenges of characterizing and diagnosing cognitive dysfunction in NAFLD are discussed.
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9
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Kjærgaard K, Weber B, Alstrup AKO, Petersen JBB, Hansen R, Hamilton-Dutoit SJ, Mortensen FV, Sørensen M. Hepatic regeneration following radiation-induced liver injury is associated with increased hepatobiliary secretion measured by PET in Göttingen minipigs. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10858. [PMID: 32616907 PMCID: PMC7331737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67609-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal liver tissue is highly vulnerable towards irradiation, which remains a challenge in radiotherapy of hepatic tumours. Here, we examined the effects of radiation-induced liver injury on two specific liver functions and hepatocellular regeneration in a minipig model. Five Göttingen minipigs were exposed to whole-liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in one fraction (14 Gy) and examined 4–5 weeks after; five pigs were used as controls. All pigs underwent in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) studies of the liver using the conjugated bile acid tracer [N-methyl-11C]cholylsarcosine ([11C]CSar) and the galactose-analogue tracer [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-galactose ([18F]FDGal). Liver tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically and by immunohistochemical assessment of hepatocellular mitosis, proliferation and apoptosis. Compared with controls, both the rate constant for secretion of [11C]CSar from hepatocytes into intrahepatic bile ducts as well as back into blood were doubled in irradiated pigs, which resulted in reduced residence time of [11C]CSar inside the hepatocytes. Also, the hepatic systemic clearance of [18F]FDGal in irradiated pigs was slightly increased, and hepatocellular regeneration was increased by a threefold. In conclusion, parenchymal injury and increased regeneration after whole-liver irradiation was associated with enhanced hepatobiliary secretion of bile acids. Whole-liver SBRT in minipigs ultimately represents a potential large animal model of radiation-induced liver injury and for testing of normal tissue protection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Kjærgaard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. .,Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Britta Weber
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | | | - Rune Hansen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | | | - Michael Sørensen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
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10
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Bak-Fredslund KP, Keiding S, Villadsen GE, Kramer S, Schlander S, Sørensen M. [ 18 F]-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose positron emission tomography/computed tomography as complementary imaging tool in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2020; 40:447-455. [PMID: 31705784 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Positron emission tomography (PET) with the liver-specific tracer [18 F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose (18 F-FDGal) can be used for imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Curative intended and locoregional treatments of HCC require absence of extrahepatic disease. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether adding 18 F-FDGal PET/CT to standard work-up changes the planned treatment in patients with HCC deemed suitable for curative or locoregional treatment. METHODS Fifty patients with HCC were included at our tertiary liver centre. The primary study outcome was a change in treatment strategy. A subgroup of 29 patients was also examined with [18 F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18 F-FDG) PET/CT for comparison. RESULTS 18 F-FDGal PET/CT detected eight extrahepatic HCC metastases in six patients (12%), which were primarily not detected by ceCT or MRI. These findings led to a change in treatment in five patients (10%). One of the eight extrahepatic HCC foci was also detected by 18 F-FDG PET/CT. A total of 85 malignant intrahepatic foci were examined, 12 of these were new findings by 18 F-FDGal PET/CT which had a sensitivity of 71%, highest for large foci. None of the additional intrahepatic foci found by 18 F-FDGal PET changed the planned treatment. CONCLUSIONS For the detection of extrahepatic HCC metastases, 18 F-FDGal PET/CT was superior both to standard clinical work-up with contrast-enhanced CT, and/or MRI, and to 18 F-FDG PET/CT in patients deemed suitable for locoregional treatment. 18 F-FDGal PET/CT led to a change in the planned treatment in 10% of the patients whereas 18 F-FDG PET/CT did not change the planned treatment in any patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstine P Bak-Fredslund
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Susanne Keiding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gerda E Villadsen
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stine Kramer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sven Schlander
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Sørensen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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Eriksen PL, Thomsen KL, Larsen LP, Grønbaek H, Vilstrup H, Sørensen M. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, but not simple steatosis, disturbs the functional homogeneity of the liver - a human galactose positron emission tomography study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 50:84-92. [PMID: 31099410 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The disease severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the distinction between simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are based on the pathohistological presence of steatosis, inflammation, ballooning and fibrosis. However, little is known about the relation between such structural changes and the function of the afflicted liver. AIMS To investigate in vivo effects of hepatic fat fraction, ballooning and fibrosis on regional and whole liver metabolic function assessed by galactose elimination in NASH and simple steatosis. METHODS Twenty-five biopsy-proven, nondiabetic patients with NAFLD (13 NASH with low-grade fibrosis, 12 simple steatosis with no fibrosis) underwent 2-[18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-galactose positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction of the liver. Nine healthy persons were included as controls. RESULTS In the NASH patients, the standardised hepatic uptake of 2-[18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-galactose was reduced to 13.5 (95% confidence interval, 12.1-14.9) as compared with both simple steatosis and controls (16.4 (15.6-17.1), P < 0.001). Thus, the NASH patients had reduced regional metabolic liver function. The liver fat fraction diluted the standardised uptake equally in NASH and simple steatosis but the fibrosis and ballooning of NASH were associated with a further decrease. Moreover, the NASH livers exhibited increased variation in their standardised uptake values (coefficient of variation 13.8% vs 11.6% in simple steatosis and 10.2% in controls, P = 0.02), reflecting an increased functional heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS In NASH, the regional metabolic liver function was lower and more heterogeneous than in both simple steatosis and healthy controls. Thus, NASH disturbs the normal homogeneous metabolic function of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lykke Eriksen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Karen Louise Thomsen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Lars Peter Larsen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henning Grønbaek
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michael Sørensen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET-Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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Keiding S, Sørensen M, Frisch K, Gormsen LC, Munk OL. Quantitative PET of liver functions. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING 2018; 8:73-85. [PMID: 29755841 PMCID: PMC5944823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Improved understanding of liver physiology and pathophysiology is urgently needed to assist the choice of new and upcoming therapeutic modalities for patients with liver diseases. In this review, we focus on functional PET of the liver: 1) Dynamic PET with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-galactose (18F-FDGal) provides quantitative images of the hepatic metabolic clearance Kmet (mL blood/min/mL liver tissue) of regional and whole-liver hepatic metabolic function. Standard-uptake-value (SUV) from a static liver 18F-FDGal PET/CT scan can replace Kmet and is currently used clinically. 2) Dynamic liver PET/CT in humans with 11C-palmitate and with the conjugated bile acid tracer [N-methyl-11C]cholylsarcosine (11C-CSar) can distinguish between individual intrahepatic transport steps in hepatic lipid metabolism and in hepatic transport of bile acid from blood to bile, respectively, showing diagnostic potential for individual patients. 3) Standard compartment analysis of dynamic PET data can lead to physiological inconsistencies, such as a unidirectional hepatic clearance of tracer from blood (K1; mL blood/min/mL liver tissue) greater than the hepatic blood perfusion. We developed a new microvascular compartment model with more physiology, by including tracer uptake into the hepatocytes from the blood flowing through the sinusoids, backflux from hepatocytes into the sinusoidal blood, and re-uptake along the sinusoidal path. Dynamic PET data include information on liver physiology which cannot be extracted using a standard compartment model. In conclusion, SUV of non-invasive static PET with 18F-FDGal provides a clinically useful measurement of regional and whole-liver hepatic metabolic function. Secondly, assessment of individual intrahepatic transport steps is a notable feature of dynamic liver PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Keiding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Sørensen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
| | - Kim Frisch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars C Gormsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Lajord Munk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, Denmark
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