Intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion tensor imaging of early renal fibrosis induced in a murine model of streptozotocin induced diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: To assess if parameters in intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to evaluate early renal fibrosis in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy. MATERIALS & METHODS: In a population of 38 male CD1 mice (8weeks old, 20-30g), streptozotocin induced diabetes was created in 20 mice via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 150mg/kg, while 18 mice served as control group. IVIM parameters were acquired at 0, 12 and 24weeks after injection of streptozotocin using a range of b values from 0 to 1200s/mm2. DTI parameters were obtained using 12 diffusion directions and lower b values of 0, 100 and 400s/mm2. DTI and IVIM parameters were obtained using region of interests drawn over the renal parenchyma. Histopathological analysis of the right kidney was performed in all mice. Results were analyzed using an unpaired t-test with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Renal cortex fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly lower in the diabetes group at week 12 as compared with the control group. Renal cortex apparent diffusion coefficient and tissue diffusivity were significantly higher in the diabetes group at week 12 compared with the control group at 12weeks. Blood flow was significantly decreased at the renal medulla at 24weeks. Histopathological analysis confirmed fibrosis in the diabetes group at 24weeks. CONCLUSION: FA is significantly reduced in diabetic nephropathy. FA might serve a potential role in the detection and therapy monitoring of early diabetic nephropathy.