Non-invasive quantification of hepatic fibrosis in toxic and cholestatic mouse models by magnetic resonance relaxometry (MRR)

Aims: To date studies in mouse models of hepatic fibrogenesis have been hampered by the need for tissue specimens to quantify liver fibrosis. Hence, the development of non-invasive methods is crucial to monitor progression, resolution and potential therapies for hepatic fibrosis and to reduce the number of experimental animals. Our aim now was to develop a non-invasive magnetic resonance-based quantification of liver in mice with various aetiologies of hepatic fibrogenesis. Methods: We analysed 13 BALB/cJ mice after toxic induced liver fibrosis (1.4mg CCl4/kg/wk i.p. for 6 wks) and 23 Abcb4 knockout (Abcb4-/- )…