Assessing liver function and liver fibrosis with the dual-input dual-compartmental uptake and efflux model based on DCE-MRI: a rat model study

Motivation: Quantitatively assessing liver function and liver fibrosis is important for patients with chronic liver disease. Goal(s): To evaluate the value of pharmacokinetic parameters derived from the dual-input dual-compartmental uptake and efflux model based on DCE-MRI for quantitatively assessing the liver function and liver fibrosis in a rat model. Approach: The relationships between pharmacokinetic parameters and the expression of hepatic transporters and histopathological metrics (Sirius red and α-SMA-positive ratios) were analysed in a liver fibrosis rat model. Results: Significant correlations were found between pharmacokinetic parameters and the expression of hepatic transporters. The diagnostic efficency of these parameters for staging liver fibrosis was satisfactory. Impact: Our findings suggested that the parameters derived from the dual-input dual-compartmental uptake and efflux model were useful for assessing liver function and simultaneously evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis.