Imageable Radioembolization Microspheres for Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Interim Results from a First-in-Human Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine 6-month interim safety, effectiveness, and multimodal imageability of imageable glass microsphere yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a first-in-human trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imageable microspheres (Eye90 Microspheres; ABK Biomedical, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada), a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough-Designated Device consisting of glass radiopaque 90Y microspheres visible on computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission CT (SPECT), were used to treat 6 subjects with unresectable HCC. Patients underwent selective (≤2 segments) treatment in a prospective open-label pilot trial. Key inclusion criteria included liver-only HCC, performance status ≤1, total lesion diameter ≤9 cm, and Child-Pugh A status. Prospective partition dosimetry was utilized. Safety (measured by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] v5), multimodal imageability on CT and SPECT, and 3- and 6-month imaging response by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were evaluated. RESULTS: Seven tumors in 6 subjects were treated and followed to 180 days. Administration success was 100%. Microsphere distribution measured by radiopacity on CT correlated with SPECT. Ninety-day target lesion complete response (CR) was observed in 3 of 6 subjects (50%) and partial response (PR) in 2 (33.3%). At 180 days, target lesion CR was maintained in 3 subjects (50%) and PR in 1 (16.7%). Two subjects could not be reassessed, having undergone intervening chemoembolization. All subjects reported adverse events (AEs), and 5 reported AEs related to treatment. There were no treatment-related Grade ≥3 AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Radioembolization using imageable microspheres was safe and effective in 6 subjects with unresectable HCC at 6-month interim analysis. Microsphere distribution by radiopacity on CT correlated with radioactivity distribution by SPECT, providing previously unavailable CT-based tumor targeting information.

Angiographic Revascularization after Bariatric Embolization in a Swine Model.

This study evaluated fundal arteriole angiographic revascularization after embolization with embolic microspheres of 3 different diameters in a swine model (16 swine, 31 arterioles). In the 50-µm group, 7 of 11 (64%) arterioles recanalized completely, 3 of 11 (27%) arterioles recanalized partially, and 1 of 11 (9%) arterioles had collateralization (no recanalization). In the 100- to 300-µm group, 7 of 10 (70%) arterioles recanalized completely and 3 of 10 (30%) arterioles) recanalized partially. In the 300- to 500-µm group, 7 of 10 (70%) arterioles recanalized completely, 1 of 10 (10%) arterioles recanalized partially, and 2 of 10 (20%) arterioles had collateralization. No difference was found between the groups in the degree of recanalization (P = .64). All embolized arterioles exhibited some degree of angiographic revascularization, irrespective of the microsphere size.

Bariatric Arterial Embolization with Calibrated Radiopaque Microspheres and an Antireflux Catheter Suppresses Weight Gain and Appetite-Stimulating Hormones in Swine.

PURPOSE: To examine safety and efficacy of bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) with x-ray-visible embolic microspheres (XEMs) and an antireflux catheter in swine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BAE with selective infusion of XEMs (n = 6) or saline (n = 4, control) into gastric fundal arteries was performed under x-ray guidance. Weight and plasma hormone levels were measured at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks after embolization. Cone-beam CT images were acquired immediately after embolization and weekly for 4 weeks. Hormone-expressing cells in the stomach were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: BAE pigs lost weight 1 week after embolization followed by significantly impaired weight gain relative to control animals (14.3% vs 20.9% at 4 weeks, P = .03). Plasma ghrelin levels were significantly lower in BAE pigs than in control animals (1,221.6 pg/mL vs 1,706.2 pg/mL at 4 weeks, P < .01). XEMs were visible on x-ray and cone-beam CT during embolization, and radiopacity persisted over 4 weeks (165.5 HU at week 1 vs 158.5 HU at week 4, P = .9). Superficial mucosal ulcerations were noted in 1 of 6 BAE animals. Ghrelin-expressing cell counts were significantly lower in the gastric fundus (17.7 vs 36.8, P < .00001) and antrum (24.2 vs 46.3, P < .0001) of BAE pigs compared with control animals. Gastrin-expressing cell counts were markedly reduced in BAE pigs relative to control animals (98.5 vs 127.0, P < .02). Trichrome staining demonstrated significantly more fibrosis in BAE animals compared with control animals (13.8% vs 8.7%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: XEMs enabled direct visualization of embolic material during and after embolization. BAE with XEMs and antireflux microcatheters was safe and effective.

Bariatric Embolization of Arteries for the Treatment of Obesity (BEAT Obesity) Trial: Results at 1 Year.

Background Bariatric embolization is a new endovascular procedure to treat patients with obesity. However, the safety and efficacy of bariatric embolization are unknown. Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bariatric embolization in severely obese adults at up to 12 months after the procedure. Materials and Methods For this prospective study (NCT0216512 on ClinicalTrials.gov ), 20 participants (16 women) aged 27-68 years (mean ± standard deviation, 44 years ± 11) with mean body mass index of 45 ± 4.1 were enrolled at two institutions from June 2014 to February 2018. Transarterial embolization of the gastric fundus was performed using 300- to 500-µm embolic microspheres. Primary end points were 30-day adverse events and weight loss at up to 12 months. Secondary end points at up to 12 months included technical feasibility, health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey ([SF-36]), impact of weight on quality of life (IWQOL-Lite), and hunger or appetite using a visual assessment scale. Analysis of outcomes was performed by using one-sample t tests and other exploratory statistics. Results Bariatric embolization was performed successfully for all participants with no major adverse events. Eight participants had a total of 11 minor adverse events. Mean excess weight loss was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.3%, 10%; P < .001) at 1 month, 11.5% (95% CI: 8.7%, 14%; P < .001) at 3 months, 12.8% (95% CI: 8.3%, 17%; P < .001) at 6 months, and 11.5% (95% CI: 6.8%, 16%; P < .001) at 12 months. From baseline to 12 months, mean SF-36 scores increased (mental component summary, from 46 ± 11 to 50 ± 10, P = .44; physical component summary, from 46 ± 8.0 to 50 ± 9.3, P = .15) and mean IWQOL-Lite scores increased from 57 ± 18 to 77 ± 18 (P < .001). Hunger or appetite decreased for 4 weeks after embolization and increased thereafter, without reaching pre-embolization levels. Conclusion Bariatric embolization is well tolerated in severely obese adults, inducing appetite suppression and weight loss for up to 12 months. Published under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Bariatric Arterial Embolization: Effect of Microsphere Size on the Suppression of Fundal Ghrelin Expression and Weight Change in a Swine Model.

Purpose To determine whether microsphere size effects ghrelin expression and weight gain after selective bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) in swine. Materials and Methods BAE was performed in 10 swine by using smaller (100-300 µm; n = 5) or larger (300-500 µm; n = 5) calibrated microspheres into gastric arteries. Nine control pigs underwent a sham procedure. Weight and fasting plasma ghrelin levels were measured at baseline and weekly for 16 weeks. Ghrelin-expressing cells (GECs) in the stomach were assessed by using immunohistochemical staining and analyzed by using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results In pigs treated with smaller microspheres, mean weight gain at 16 weeks (106.9% ± 15.0) was less than in control pigs (131.9% ± 11.6) (P < .001). Mean GEC density was lower in the gastric fundus (14.8 ± 6.3 vs 25.0 ± 6.9, P < .001) and body (27.5 ± 12.3 vs 37.9 ± 11.8, P = .004) but was not significantly different in the gastric antrum (28.2 ± 16.3 vs 24.3 ± 11.6, P = .84) and duodenum (9.2 ± 3.8 vs 8.7 ± 2.9, P = .66) versus in control pigs. BAE with larger microspheres failed to suppress weight gain or GECs in any stomach part compared with results in control swine. Plasma ghrelin levels were similar between BAE pigs and control pigs, regardless of microsphere size. Week 1 endoscopic evaluation for gastric ulcers revealed none in control pigs, five ulcers in five pigs embolized by using smaller microspheres, and three ulcers in five pigs embolized by using larger microspheres. Conclusion In bariatric arterial embolization, smaller microspheres rather than larger microspheres showed greater weight gain suppression and fundal ghrelin expression with more gastric ulceration in a swine model. © RSNA, 2018.

Clinical Safety of Bariatric Arterial Embolization: Preliminary Results of the BEAT Obesity Trial.

Purpose To conduct a pilot prospective clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of bariatric embolization, a recently developed endovascular procedure for the treatment of obesity, in patients with severe obesity. Materials and Methods This is an institutional review board- and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved prospective physician-initiated investigational device exemption study. This phase of the study ran from June 2, 2014, to August 4, 2015. Five severely obese patients (four women, one man) who were 31-49 years of age and who had a mean body mass index of 43.8 kg/m2 ± 2.9 with no clinically important comorbidities were enrolled in this study. Transarterial embolization of the gastric fundus with fluoroscopic guidance was performed with 300-500-µm Embosphere microspheres. The primary end point was 30-day adverse events (AEs). The secondary end points included short-term weight loss, serum obesity-related hormone levels, hunger and satiety assessments, and quality of life (QOL) surveys, reported up to 3 months. Simple statistics of central tendencies and variability were calculated. No hypothesis testing was performed. Results The left gastric artery, with or without the gastroepiploic artery, was embolized in five patients, with a technical success rate of 100%. There were no major AEs. There were two minor AEs-subclinical pancreatitis and a mucosal ulcer that had healed by the time of 3-month endoscopy. A hospital stay of less than 48 hours for routine supportive care was provided for three patients. Mean excess weight loss of 5.9% ± 2.4 and 9.0% ± 4.1 was noted at 1 month and at 3 months, respectively. Mean change in serum ghrelin was 8.7% ± 34.7 and -17.5% ± 29 at 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Mean changes in serum glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY were 106.6% ± 208.5 and 17.8% ± 54.8 at 1 month. There was a trend toward improvement in QOL parameters. Hunger/appetite scores decreased in the first 2 weeks after the procedure and then rose without reaching preprocedure levels. Conclusion Bariatric embolization is feasible and appears to be well tolerated in severely obese patients. In this small patient cohort, it appears to induce appetite suppression and may induce weight loss. Further expansion of this study will provide more insight into the long-term safety and efficacy of bariatric embolization. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Bariatric Embolization: Pilot Study on the Impact of Gastroprotective Agents and Arterial Distribution on Ulceration Risk and Efficacy in a Porcine Model.

PURPOSE: To assess whether the number of fundal arteries embolized and use of gastroprotective agents have an impact on ghrelin suppression and gastric ulceration rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two healthy, growing swine (mean, 38.4 kg; range, 30.3-47.0 kg) were evaluated. Six control swine underwent a sham procedure. Gastric embolization was performed by the infusion of 40-µm microspheres selectively into some or all gastric arteries supplying the gastric fundus. In group 1, 6 swine underwent embolization of all 4 arteries to the gastric fundus. In group 2, 5 swine underwent embolization of 2 gastric fundal arteries. In group 3, 5 swine underwent embolization of 1 gastric fundal artery. Animals in groups 2 and 3 were treated with gastroprotective agents (sucralfate and omeprazole). Weight and fasting plasma ghrelin levels were analyzed at baseline and at week 4. Upon animal euthanasia, gross analysis was performed for identification of ulcers. RESULTS: Only group 1 animals exhibited changes in serum ghrelin levels that rendered them significantly lower than those in control animals (P = .049). Group 3 animals exhibited marked elevations in serum ghrelin levels compared with control animals (P = .001). Gross pathologic evaluation revealed 0 ulcers in the control animals, 3 ulcers (50%) in group 1, 2 ulcers (40%) in group 2, and 2 ulcers (40%) in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of gastroprotective agents and embolization of fewer arteries to the gastric fundus did not prevent gastric ulceration in treated animals. Only animals that underwent embolization of all gastric arteries exhibited significant decreases in serum ghrelin levels.

Bariatric Radioembolization: A Pilot Study on Technical Feasibility and Safety in a Porcine Model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate feasibility of left gastric artery (LGA) yttrium-90 ((90)Y) radioembolization as potential treatment for obesity in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 8 young female pigs (12-13 weeks, 21.8-28.1 kg). Six animals received infusions of (90)Y resin microspheres (46.3-105.1 MBq) into the main LGA and the gastric artery arising from the splenic artery. Animal weight and serum ghrelin were measured before treatment and weekly thereafter. Animals were euthanized 69-74 days after treatment, and histologic analyses of mucosal integrity and ghrelin immunoreactive cell density were performed. RESULTS: Superficial mucosal ulcerations < 3.0 cm(2) were noted in 5 of 6 treated animals. Ghrelin immunoreactive cell density was significantly lower in treated versus untreated animals in the stomach fundus (13.5 vs 34.8, P < .05) and stomach body (11.2 vs 19.8, P < .05). Treated animals gained less weight than untreated animals over the study duration (40.2 kg ± 5.4 vs 54.7 kg ± 6.5, P = .053). Average fundic parietal area (165 cm(2) vs 282 cm(2), P = .067) and average stomach weight (297.2 g vs 397.0 g, P = .067) were decreased in treated versus untreated animals. Trichrome staining revealed significantly more fibrosis in treatment animals compared with control animals (13.0 vs 8.6, P < .05). No significant differences were identified in plasma ghrelin concentrations (P = .24). CONCLUSIONS: LGA (90)Y radioembolization is promising as a potential treatment for obesity. A larger preclinical study is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure further.

Bariatric embolization of the gastric arteries for the treatment of obesity.

Obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States that results in significant morbidity, mortality, and cost to the health care system. Despite advancements in therapeutic options for patients receiving bariatric procedures, the number of overweight and obese individuals continues to increase. Therefore, complementary or alternative treatments to lifestyle changes and surgery are urgently needed. Embolization of the left gastric artery, or bariatric arterial embolization (BAE), has been shown to modulate body weight in animal models and early clinical studies. If successful, BAE represents a potential minimally invasive approach offered by interventional radiologists to treat obesity. The purpose of the present review is to introduce the interventional radiologist to BAE by presenting its physiologic and anatomic bases, reviewing the preclinical and clinical data, and discussing current and future investigations.

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical sequelae of bariatric embolization in a porcine model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the histopathologic sequelae of bariatric embolization on the gastric mucosa and to correlate with immunohistochemical evaluation of the gastric fundus, antrum, and duodenum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 12 swine stomach and duodenum specimens after necropsy. Of the 12 swine, 6 had previously undergone bariatric embolization of the gastric fundus, and the 6 control swine had undergone a sham procedure with saline. Gross pathologic, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical examinations of the stomach and duodenum were performed. Specifically, mucosal integrity, fibrosis, ghrelin-expressing cells, and gastrin-expressing cells were assessed. RESULTS: Gross and histopathologic evaluation of treatment animals showed healing or healed mucosal ulcers in 50% of animals, with gastritis in 100% of treatment animals and in five of six control animals. The ghrelin-immunoreactive mean cell density was significantly lower in the gastric fundus in the treated animals compared with control animals (15.3 vs 22.0, P < .01) but similar in the gastric antrum (9.3 vs 14.3, P = .08) and duodenum (8.5 vs 8.6, P = .89). The gastrin-expressing cell density was significantly lower in the antrum of treated animals compared with control animals (82.2 vs 126.4, P = .03). A trend toward increased fibrosis was suggested in the gastric fundus of treated animals compared with controls (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric embolization resulted in a significant reduction in ghrelin-expressing cells in the gastric fundus without evidence of upregulation of ghrelin-expressing cells in the duodenum. Healing ulcerations in half of treated animals underscores the need for additional refinement of this procedure.

Prospective, randomized study of coil embolization versus Surefire infusion system during yttrium-90 radioembolization with resin microspheres.

PURPOSE: To compare standard coil embolization versus the use of an antireflux microcatheter (ARM) in patients undergoing planning angiography before selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center trial was performed in which 30 patients were randomly assigned to undergo SIRT with coil embolization or the use of an ARM. The coil group underwent detachable coil embolization of nontarget vessels, and the ARM group underwent infusion of macroaggregated albumin with use of an ARM system, without coil embolization. Single-photon emission computed tomography (CT)/CT was then performed to assess for nontarget distribution. The primary endpoint was fluoroscopy time during planning angiography. Secondary endpoints included deployment time, total procedure time, radiation dose-area product, contrast agent used, and adverse events. Endpoints were evaluated during planning angiography and SIRT. RESULTS: Over a 9-month period, 30 consecutive patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio between coil embolization and ARM groups. Technical success rates were 100% in both groups. Mean fluoroscopy time was significantly reduced in the ARM group versus the coil embolization group (1.8 min [range, 0.4-4.9 min] vs 6.0 min [range, 1.9-15.7 min]; P = .002). The planning procedure time (P < .001), deployment time (P < .001), dose-area product (P = .04), and amount of contrast agent used (P < .001) were also significantly less in the ARM group than in the coil embolization group. No nontarget distribution was detected in either group. There was no difference between groups in dose delivered on the day of SIRT (P = .71). There were no major or minor adverse events at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an ARM during planning angiography can significantly reduce fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and radiation dose.

Magnetic resonance-guided, real-time targeted delivery and imaging of magnetocapsules immunoprotecting pancreatic islet cells.

In type I diabetes mellitus, islet transplantation provides a moment-to-moment fine regulation of insulin. Success rates vary widely, however, necessitating suitable methods to monitor islet delivery, engraftment and survival. Here magnetic resonance-trackable magnetocapsules have been used simultaneously to immunoprotect pancreatic beta-cells and to monitor, non-invasively in real-time, hepatic delivery and engraftment by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetocapsules were detected as single capsules with an altered magnetic resonance appearance on capsule rupture. Magnetocapsules were functional in vivo because mouse beta-cells restored normal glycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and human islets induced sustained C-peptide levels in swine. In this large-animal model, magnetocapsules could be precisely targeted for infusion by using magnetic resonance fluoroscopy, whereas MRI facilitated monitoring of liver engraftment over time. These findings are directly applicable to ongoing improvements in islet cell transplantation for human diabetes, particularly because our magnetocapsules comprise clinically applicable materials.

Bariatric embolization for suppression of the hunger hormone ghrelin in a porcine model.

PURPOSE: To prospectively test in a porcine model the hypothesis that bariatric embolization with commercially available calibrated microspheres can result in substantial suppression of systemic ghrelin levels and affect weight gain over an 8-week period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional animal care and use committee approved this study. Twelve healthy growing swine (mean weight, 38.4 kg; weight range, 30.3-47.0 kg) were evaluated. Bariatric embolization was performed by infusion of 40-µm calibrated microspheres selectively into the gastric arteries that supply the fundus. Six swine underwent bariatric embolization, while six control animals underwent a sham procedure with saline. Weight and fasting plasma ghrelin and glucose levels were obtained in animals at baseline and at weeks 1-8. Statistical testing for differences in serum ghrelin levels and weight at each time point was performed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test for intragroup differences and the Wilcoxon rank sum test for intergroup differences. RESULTS: The pattern of change in ghrelin levels over time was significantly different between control and experimental animals. Weekly ghrelin levels were measured in control and experimental animals as a change from baseline ghrelin values. Average postprocedure ghrelin values increased by 328.9 pg/dL ± 129.0 (standard deviation) in control animals and decreased by 537.9 pg/dL ± 209.6 in experimental animals (P = .004). The pattern of change in weight over time was significantly different between control and experimental animals. The average postprocedure weight gain in experimental animals was significantly lower than that in control animals (3.6 kg ± 3.8 vs 9.4 kg ± 2.8, respectively; P = .025). CONCLUSION: Bariatric embolization can significantly suppress ghrelin and significantly affect weight gain. Further study is warranted before this technique can be used routinely in humans.

Quantification and reduction of reflux during embolotherapy using an antireflux catheter and tantalum microspheres: ex vivo analysis.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate in a porcine model that reflux during embolotherapy can be relatively quantified (ie, as embolization efficiency) and that nontarget embolization can be eliminated by using an antireflux microcatheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal artery embolization was performed with radiopaque tantalum microspheres (concentration of 1 g/20 mL) in three swine. Second-order right renal arteries (n = 3) underwent embolization with a 3-F antireflux catheter, and second-order left renal arteries (n = 3) underwent embolization with a 4-F end-hole catheter as a control. After embolization, kidneys were explanted and underwent micro-computed tomographic (microCT) imaging. Three-dimensional volumetric and multiplanar imaging of the kidneys was performed to assess vascular distribution. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data were analyzed, with a threshold algorithm used to create binary images. The number of positive values in a region of interest in the target embolized tissue (upper pole or lower pole) and the nontarget adjacent tissue was determined, and embolization efficiency was calculated. Wilcoxon rank-sum statistical analysis was performed to compare nontarget embolization between infusion catheters. RESULTS: All renal arteries underwent successful embolization with tantalum microspheres, with 20 mL (1 g) administered in all dose deliveries. MicroCT provided high-resolution visualization of the renal parenchyma at 70-µm resolution. In control renal arteries, a standard 4-F end-hole catheter had an embolization efficiency of 72%± 13. In experimental renal arteries, the antireflux microcatheter had an embolization efficiency of 99.9%± 1.0 (P< . 05). CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in nontarget embolization (ie, reduction in reflux) was possible with an antireflux microcatheter compared with a conventional end-hole catheter.

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for survival following doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center analysis, tumor- and patient-related factors were recorded for univariate and multivariate analyses via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Infiltrative HCC phenotype and portal vein invasion (PVI) were correlated, and patients with either or both were classified as having radiographically advanced (RAdv) HCC. The primary endpoint was overall survival, which was calculated from the time of first DEB chemoembolization procedure. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients underwent 248 procedures, of which 215 (86.7%) were outpatient procedures. Mean length of stay was 0.33 days, and 25 patients (10.1%) were readmitted within 30 days. A total of 33 patients underwent liver transplantation and were excluded from survival analyses. A total of 130 had cirrhosis; 62, 50, and 18 had Child class A, B, and C disease, respectively. Forty-one patients had infiltrative HCC phenotype, 28 of whom also had PVI. Multivariate analysis of survival in all patients showed α-fetoprotein (AFP), performance status (PS), RAdv HCC, Child classification, albumin level, and ascites to predict survival. In patients without RAdv HCC, AFP, PS, Child classification, albumin level, and International Normalized Ratio were independent predictors. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor for death. CONCLUSIONS: Independent prognostic factors in patients with HCC undergoing DEB chemoembolization have been identified. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor. These data can be used in HCC patient selection and counseling for DEB chemoembolization.

Association Between Gut Hormones and Weight Change After Bariatric Arterial Embolization: Results from the BEAT Obesity Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate associations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY 3-36 (PYY3-36) with weight change after bariatric arterial embolization (BAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgroup analysis of data collected during the BEAT Obesity Trial involving 7 participants with BMI > 40 who were embolized with 300- to 500-µm Embosphere Microspheres. Three participants were characterized as "responders" (top tertile of weight loss at each visit) and 4 as "non-responders" (bottom tertile of weight loss at each visit). Mean ± standard deviation participant age was 44 ± 11 years, and 6 of 7 participants were women. Participants were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after BAE. After fasting, participants consumed a mixed meal test at each visit; blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min. Study outcome measures were changes in weight from baseline and plasma serum hormone levels. RESULTS: Percentage change in ghrelin decreased significantly in non-responders at 60 and 120 min at 1 and 12 months (estimated difference between 60 vs. 0 min at 1 month: 69% [95% CI - 126%, - 13%]; estimated difference between 120 vs. 0 min at 12 months: - 131% (95% CI - 239%, - 23%]). Responders had significantly lower ghrelin and greater weight loss than non-responders at 6 and 12 months. GLP-1 and PYY3-36 levels did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Participants with consistent weight loss throughout follow-up had lower ghrelin than non-responders, supporting decreased ghrelin as a mechanism underlying BAE-induced weight loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: High-quality randomized trial or prospective study; testing of previously developed diagnostic criteria on consecutive patients; sensible costs and alternatives; values obtained from many studies with multiway sensitivity analyses; systematic review of Level I RCTs and Level I studies.

Automated detection and characterization of SPIO-labeled cells and capsules using magnetic field perturbations.

Understanding how individual cells behave inside living systems will help enable new diagnostic tools and cellular therapies. Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles can be used to label cells and theranostic capsules for noninvasive tracking using MRI. Contrast changes from superparamagnetic iron oxide are often subtle relative to intrinsic sources of contrast, presenting a detection challenge. Here, we describe a versatile postprocessing method, called Phase map cross-correlation Detection and Quantification (PDQ), that automatically identifies localized deposits of superparamagnetic iron oxide, estimating their volume magnetic susceptibility and magnetic moment. To demonstrate applicability, PDQ was used to detect and characterize superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled magnetocapsules implanted in porcine liver and suspended in agarose gel. PDQ was also applied to mouse brains infiltrated by MPIO-labeled macrophages following traumatic brain injury; longitudinal, in vivo studies tracked individual MPIO clusters over 3 days, and tracked clusters were corroborated in ex vivo brain scans. Additionally, we applied PDQ to rat hearts infiltrated by MPIO-labeled macrophages in a transplant model of organ rejection. PDQ magnetic measurements were signal-to-noise ratio invariant for images with signal-to-noise ratio > 11. PDQ can be used with conventional gradient-echo pulse sequences, requiring no extra scan time. The method is useful for visualizing biodistribution of cells and theranostic magnetocapsules and for measuring their relative iron content.

Trimodal gadolinium-gold microcapsules containing pancreatic islet cells restore normoglycemia in diabetic mice and can be tracked by using US, CT, and positive-contrast MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To develop microcapsules that immunoprotect pancreatic islet cells for treatment of type I diabetes and enable multimodal cellular imaging of transplanted islet cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All animal experiments were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with DTDTPA (dithiolated diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid):gadolinium chelates (GG) were coencapsulated with pancreatic islet cells by using protamine sulfate as a clinical-grade alginate cross linker. Conventional poly-l-lysine-cross-linked microcapsules and unencapsulated islets were included as controls. The viability and glucose responsiveness of islet cells were assessed in vitro, and in vivo insulin (C-peptide) secretion was monitored for 6 weeks in (streptozotocin-induced) diabetic mice with (n = 7) or without (n = 8) intraabdominally engrafted islet cells. Five nondiabetic mice were included as controls. Differences between samples were calculated by using a nonparametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney method. To adjust for multiple comparisons, a significance level of P < .01 was chosen. Generalized estimating equations were used to model cell function over time. Three mice with engrafted capsules were imaged in vivo with high-field-strength (9.4-T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, micro-computed tomography (CT), and 40-MHz ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: Encapsulated human pancreatic islets were functional in vitro for at least 2 weeks after encapsulation. Blood glucose levels in the diabetic mice transplanted with GG-labeled encapsulated mouse ßTC6 insulinoma cells returned to normal within 1 week after transplantation, and normoglycemia was sustained for at least 6 weeks without the use of immunosuppressive drugs. GG microcapsules could be readily visualized with positive-contrast high-field-strength MR imaging, micro-CT, and US both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Cell encapsulation with GG provides a means of trimodal noninvasive tracking of engrafted cells.