Measurement of brown adipose tissue mass using a novel dual-echo magnetic resonance imaging approach: A validation study

作者：Holstila Milja; Virtanen Kirsi A; Gronroos Tove J; Laine Jukka; Lepomaki Virva; Saunavaara Jani; Lisinen Irina; Komu Markku; Hannukainen Lama C; Nuutila Pirjo; Parkkola Riitta; Borra Ronald J H

来源：Metabolism-Clinical and Experimental, 2013, 62(8): 1189-1198.

DOI：10.1016/j.metabol.2013.03.002

• Cold exposure
• (18)FDG-PET
• Rat

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the visualization and quantification of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in vivo in a rat model. We hypothesized that, based on differences in tissue water and lipid content, MRI could reliably differentiate between BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) and could therefore be a possible alternative for 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography ((18)FDG-PET), the current gold standard for non-invasive BAT quantification. %26lt;br%26gt;Materials/Methods. Eleven rats were studied using both (18)FDG-PET/CT and MRI (1.5 T). A dual echo (in-and-out-of-phase) sequence was used, both with and without spectral presaturation inversion recovery (SPIR) fat suppression (DUAL-SPIR) to visualize BAT, after which all BAT was surgically excised. The BAT volume measurements obtained via (18)FDG-PET/CT and DUAL-SPIR MR were quantitatively compared with the histological findings. All study protocols were reviewed and approved by the local ethics committee. %26lt;br%26gt;Results. The BAT mass measurements that were obtained using DUAL-SPIR MR subtraction images correlated better with the histological findings (P = 0.017, R = 0.89) than did the measurements obtained using (18)FDG-PET/CT (P = 0.78, R = 0.15), regardless of the BAT metabolic activation state. Additionally, the basic feasibility of the DUAL-SPIR method was demonstrated in three human pilot subjects. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions. This study demonstrates the potential for MRI to reliably detect and quantify BAT in vivo. MRI can provide information beyond that provided by (18)FDG-PET imaging, and its ability to detect BAT is independent of its metabolic activation state. Additionally, MRI is a low-cost alternative that does not require radiation.

• 出版日期2013-8