The water in hepatic tissue has intracellular, extracellular matrix bound, and extracellular interstitial free fluid components, which are affected by inflammation and fibrosis. This study assessed longitudinal changes in MRE-based biomarkers and their relationship with hepatic water content in clinical and preclinical models. In clinical studies, MRE-assessed loss modulus (LM) was elevated in obese patients and in NAFLD patients with severe inflammation. In preclinical models, changes in LM correlated with water content and disease progression in non-NAFLD mice. LM significantly increased with the development of NASH. MRE-assessed viscoelasticity strongly reflects extracellular free fluid associated with inflammation.
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