In Vivo Quantification of Renal Lipid in Diabetic Mice by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Xingui Peng¹, Shenghong Ju¹, Fang Fang¹, Gao-Jun Teng¹

Diabetic nephropathy has been associated with the presence of lipid deposits. This study aimed to determine whether in vivo MR imaging can evaluate the lipid changes noninvasively. Chemical shift imaging and T1WI were performed to measure lipid content and estimate adipose tissue distribution, respectively. Visceral adipose tissue and kidney lipid content in db/db mice was significantly higher than that of control group. The lipid accumulation in the renal cortex of db/db mice was significantly higher than that of renal medulla. Out results indicate that MRI will be used to study animal models and patients with renal diseases resulting from lipotoxicity.