Application of Metabolic Imaging of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Pyruvate to a Genetic Mouse Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

This study applied metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate to a genetic mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Histology of the NASH (livKO) mice showed different levels of liver injury that were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. NASH mice with severe liver injury had significantly higher Lac-to-Pyr and Ala-to-Pyr ratios in liver ROIs than that in control animals. These results suggest that hyperpolarized MRSI can be a promising method to differentiate liver injury based on severity in NASH. We also discussed several sources for variability of the MR data and how to potentially address them.