MRI-based texture analysis: a potential technique to assess protectors against induced-liver fibrosis in rats

MRI-based texture analysis: a potential technique to assess protectors against induced-liver fibrosis in ratsBackground. In this study, the protective effect of extract of Moringa oleifera against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats was evaluated using Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Texture Analysis (MRI-TA) and the results were compared to liver function tests and histopathology.Methods. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a) the normal control group (C) received an intra-gastric administration of vehicle for eight weeks; b) the fibrosis group (F) received an intra-peritoneal administration of CCl4 twice a week for eight weeks; c) the silymarin group (S) received 0.2 g/kg orally once a day for eight weeks along with CCl4; d) the M. oleifera protected group (M), received an intra-gastric dose at 0.5 g/kg for 8 weeks concomitantly with CCl4. Histopathology and liver function were performed and both confirmed protection against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.Results. The fibrosis index showed a remarkable increase in collagen-I contents in the CCl4 - injured animals (12.73±2.37%) while fibrotic indices were significantly less in liver tissues of Moringa-treated and silymarin-treated animals (5.23±0.13% and 1.23±1.01%, respectively). MRI-TA results were consistent with previous histopathological findings. Classification of MRI-TA parameters for the C, F, and M groups