Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging and Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Post-Contrast Acute Kidney Injury in Rats with Subclinical Acute Kidney Injury

Motivation: Subclinical acute kidney injury (sAKI) was a latent pre-clinical status and might make it more vulnerable to kidney injury factors. Goal(s): The aim of this study was to investigate post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) progression of sAKI rats and verify fMRI as an effective tool to detect renal injury. Approach: H&E staining, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia inducible factor-1α was used to evaluate renal hypoxia. Diffusion kurtosis imaging and arterial spin labeling MRI was applied to during PC-AKI. Results: The sAKI rats suffered more serious renal injury and delayed recovery during PC-AKI. MRI parameters had a good relationship with pathological changes. Impact: Risk of PC-AKI in sAKI status should be reconsidered. Multiparameter MRI is an effective tool to detect renal injury.