OBJECTIVE: To determine whether contrast ultrasonography can affect the sinusoidal cells and platelets of the liver by using ultrastructural analysis in vivo. METHODS: Fifteen Wistar rats were placed into the following 5 groups of 3 rats each: 3 control groups comprising a sham operation group, a contrast agent injection-alone group, and an ultrasound exposure-alone group; and 2 contrast agent injection with ultrasound exposure groups, split according to excision time. After a dose of an echo contrast agent (100 mg/kg of body weight) was administered through the femoral vein, the rats that received injections were subjected to ultrasound for the first minute, no ultrasound for the next 4 minutes, and then ultrasound sweep scanning for 10 seconds. The rats were perfused via the heart with cold physiologic saline containing 2% paraformaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution buffered with 0.1-mol/L phosphate. The livers of the rats in 4 of the groups were excised immediately. The livers of the rats in 1 of the 2 contrast agent with ultrasound exposure groups were excised by the same procedure 5 hours after they received the injections. All specimens were studied with light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation and injury to endothelial cells were more severe in the contrast agent injection and ultrasound exposure groups than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast ultrasonography can cause platelet aggregation and endothelial cell damage in the rat hepatic sinusoid.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether contrast ultrasonography can affect the sinusoidal cells and platelets of the liver by using ultrastructural analysis in vivo. METHODS: Fifteen Wistar rats were placed into the following 5 groups of 3 rats each: 3 control groups comprising a sham operation group, a contrast agent injection-alone group, and an ultrasound exposure-alone group; and 2 contrast agent injection with ultrasound exposure groups, split according to excision time. After a dose of an echo contrast agent (100 mg/kg of body weight) was administered through the femoral vein, the rats that received injections were subjected to ultrasound for the first minute, no ultrasound for the next 4 minutes, and then ultrasound sweep scanning for 10 seconds. The rats were perfused via the heart with cold physiologic saline containing 2% paraformaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution buffered with 0.1-mol/L phosphate. The livers of the rats in 4 of the groups were excised immediately. The livers of the rats in 1 of the 2 contrast agent with ultrasound exposure groups were excised by the same procedure 5 hours after they received the injections. All specimens were studied with light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation and injury to endothelial cells were more severe in the contrast agent injection and ultrasound exposure groups than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast ultrasonography can cause platelet aggregation and endothelial cell damage in the rat hepatic sinusoid.
Authors: Alun R Williams; Roger C Wiggins; Bryan L Wharram; Meera Goyal; Chunyan Dou; Kent J Johnson; Douglas L Miller Journal: Ultrasound Med Biol Date: 2007-05-16 Impact factor: 2.998