DCE-MRI and Micro-CT Integration for Evaluating Changes in Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function and Bone Microstructure in Diabetic Rabbits

Motivation: By investigating changes in bone marrow microvascular permeability and bone microstructure, we can explore the key pathological and physiological mechanisms underlying impaired vascular repair in diabetesGoal(s): To assess the functional changes in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and alterations in bone microstructure in rabbits with severe limb ischemia complicated by diabetes mellitus using DCE-MRI and micro Micro-CTApproach: 30 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits underwent sagittal MR imaging of the femoral bone proximal coronal plane at fixed time pointsResults: DCE-MRI combined with Micro-CT quantitative parameters is feasible to evaluate endothelial progenitor cell function and changes in bone microstructure in diabetes mellitusImpact: The results of this study will provide a new perspective on the pathological and physiological mechanisms underlying bone marrow changes in diabetic patients with concurrent critical limb ischemia.