ABSTRACT
@#【Objective】To assess the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for imaging liver fibrosis.【Methods】12 male SD rats （170±10 g）were divided into model group（TAA group）and control group. In the model group，200 mg/kg thioacetamide dissolved in sterile saline was administered to rats by means of intraperitoneal injection twice a week for a total of 6 weeks. In the control group，rats were treated with the same volume of saline. At week 6 after injection，18F- FDG PET/CT imaging was performed on two groups and measurement of the liver 18F-FDG uptake in two groups was taken. After PET/ CT scans， all rats were sacrificed to observe anatomical morphological changes. Liver tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin （H&E） staining，Masson staining and measurement of hydroxyproline levels. 【Results】 Liver anatomical morphology of the TAA-induced rats was roughness with brunt margins and coarse surfaces ，while control rats showed sharp margins and smooth surfaces. HE staining showed visible histological changes that hepatocyte and liver sinus area surrounded by plentiful recruited hepatocyte neutrophils in the model group. Masson staining showed that obvious proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of collagen in liver tissues in the model group. Model group showed higher hydroxyproline content than that in the control group（P<0.001）. The results of 18F- FDG imaging indicated that apparent liver radioactivity concentration in the model group. 18F-FDG uptake value of liver tissues in the model group was higher than that in the control group（P<0.001）.【Conclusion】18F- FDG PET/CT imaging could be used for diagnosis of liver fibrosis noninvasively.