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Mechanism of Hepatic Parenchyma-Specific Contrast of Microbubble-Based Contrast Agent for Ultrasonography

2007; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 42; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/rli.0b013e31805f2682

1536-0210

Rira Watanabe, Manabu Matsumura, Toshiko Munemasa, Masayoshi Fujimaki, Makoto Suematsu,

Ultrasound Imaging and Elastography

The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of hepatic parenchyma-specific contrast of Sonazoid (microbubble contrast agent) using microscopic techniques.Sonazoid was intravenously injected into rats to investigate the microbubble dynamics and distribution within hepatic microcirculation in exteriorized liver using intravital microscopy and to observe dose dependency of ultrasound hepatic contrast effect. In vitro and in vivo uptake of microbubbles by Kupffer cells was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy.Intravital observation demonstrated freely flowing microbubbles in the sinusoid and some microbubbles co-localized with Kupffer cells. The microbubbles internalized in Kupffer cells were identified with reflected light by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The percentage of Kupffer cells taking up microbubbles was about 1% at clinical dose at which the homogeneous hepatic contrast was observed.The hepatic parenchyma-specific contrast by Sonazoid is due to distribution of the microbubbles in Kupffer cells.