Broadband evaluation of ultrasonic and electrical characteristics of rat fatty livers

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is widely used for non-invasive evaluation of fatty liver due to its ability to characterize tissue acoustic properties. Accurate characterization requires an integrated understanding of tissue properties seamlessly spanning from the organ to the cellular level. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) involves complex structural changes, including lipid droplet accumulation and fibrosis, which influence acoustic responses. This study aims to establish a foundational evaluation method for fatty liver by investigating the impact of structural components on acoustic properties across a broad frequency range (5–100 MHz) using QUS. Rat liver models representing various stages of steatosis and MASH, confirmed by histopathology, were analyzed. Broadband ultrasonic measurements with single-element transducers allowed calculation of frequency-dependent sound speed and attenuation. Electrical properties, such as conductivity and permittivity measured over 1 kHz–1 MHz, were also assessed to provide complementary insights into tissue composition and structure. By leveraging wideband ultrasonic data, this study contributes to building a multilayered evaluation framework that captures tissue structure from macro to micro scales. The integrated acoustic and electrical analysis advances the understanding of physical relationships in fatty liver, supporting future development of non-invasive diagnostic techniques for MASH and related conditions.