Signal profile on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cirrhosis induced in rats: correlation with transporter expression.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the transporter expression and signal profile on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhotic liver induced in rats, and investigate the correlation of the transporter expression and fibrosis rate in both diseases.
METHODS: Forty-eight rats were divided into four groups of 12: TAA (cirrhosis), NASH 7- and 10-week, and control groups. Each group was divided into two subgroups: Group 1 for MRI and Group 2 for transporter examinations.
RESULTS: The relative enhancement of the TAA group was significantly lower than those of other groups (p < 0.01). The T(max) and T(1/2) of the NASH 10-week group was significantly prolonged in comparison with the TAA group (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the oatp1 expression, whereas the mrp2 expression of the TAA group was significantly higher than those of other groups (p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the fibrosis rate and oatp1 expression, whereas a paradoxical correlation was found between the fibrosis rate and mrp2 expression (NASH: negative correlation, r = 0.91, p < 0.01; TAA: positive correlation, r = 0.85, p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the mrp2 expression in cirrhosis increases in comparison with NASH, and there was a paradoxical correlation between the fibrosis rate and mrp2 expression.