In vivo proton magnetic resonance imaging and localized spectroscopic analysis of polycystic kidney disease in DBA/2FG-pyc mice.

Proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and localized spectroscopy techniques were used to study polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in DBA/2FG-pcy (pcy) mice, which are an animal model for the adult form of human PKD. A volume selective spectroscopy (VOSY) method was used to obtain localized proton spectra as well as apparent T1 and T2 relaxation times of the kidneys of either pcy or DBA/2FG normal (DBA) mice. Localization of the proton spectra was based on spatial coordinates determined from the proton images. Increases in apparent kidney T1 and T2 relaxation times were observed for pcy mice in comparison to those measured in DBA mice. Localized kidney T1 values from pcy mice were found to range from 799 to 1395 msec whereas DBA mice kidney T1 values were 617 to 774 msec. Localized T2 values measured from pcy mice kidneys ranged from 90 to 172 msec in comparison to kidney T2 values of 50 to 72 msec for DBA mice. The onset of cyst formation in the kidneys of pcy mice as a function of age was also studied. As early as 4 to 5 weeks of age it was possible to detect in vivo changes in pcy mice kidney T1 and T2 values.