Utility of Micro CT in a Murine Model of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Micro computed tomography (CT) is rapidly developing as an imaging tool, especially for mice, which have become the experimental animal of choice for many pulmonary disease studies. We evaluated the usefulness of micro CT for evaluating lung fibrosis in the murine model of bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS: The control mice (n=10) were treated with saline. The murine model of lung fibrosis (n=60) was established by administering bleomycin intra-tracheally. Among the 70 mice, only 20 mice had successful imaging analyses. We analyzed the micro CT and pathological findings and examined the correlation between imaging scoring in micro CT and histological scoring of pulmonary inflammation or fibrosis. RESULTS: The control group showed normal findings on micro CT. The abnormal findings on micro CT performed at 3 weeks after the administration of bleomycin were ground-glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation. At 6 weeks after bleomycin administration, micro CT showed various patterns such as GGO, consolidation, bronchiectasis, small nodules, and reticular opacity. GGO (r=0.84) and consolidation (r=0.69) on micro CT were significantly correlated with histological scoring that reflected pulmonary inflammation (p<0.05). In addition, bronchiectasis (r=0.63) and reticular opacity (r=0.83) on micro CT shown at 6 weeks after bleomycin administration correlated with histological scoring that reflected lung fibrosis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that micro CT findings from a murine model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis reflect pathologic findings, and micro CT may be useful for predicting bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice.

Utility of Micro CT in a Murine Model of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Micro computed tomography (CT) is rapidly developing as an imaging tool, especially for mice, which have become the experimental animal of choice for many pulmonary disease studies. We evaluated the usefulness of micro CT for evaluating lung fibrosis in the murine model of bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS: The control mice (n=10) were treated with saline. The murine model of lung fibrosis (n=60) was established by administering bleomycin intra-tracheally. Among the 70 mice, only 20 mice had successful imaging analyses. We analyzed the micro CT and pathological findings and examined the correlation between imaging scoring in micro CT and histological scoring of pulmonary inflammation or fibrosis. RESULTS: The control group showed normal findings on micro CT. The abnormal findings on micro CT performed at 3 weeks after the administration of bleomycin were ground-glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation. At 6 weeks after bleomycin administration, micro CT showed various patterns such as GGO, consolidation, bronchiectasis, small nodules, and reticular opacity. GGO (r=0.84) and consolidation (r=0.69) on micro CT were significantly correlated with histological scoring that reflected pulmonary inflammation (p<0.05). In addition, bronchiectasis (r=0.63) and reticular opacity (r=0.83) on micro CT shown at 6 weeks after bleomycin administration correlated with histological scoring that reflected lung fibrosis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that micro CT findings from a murine model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis reflect pathologic findings, and micro CT may be useful for predicting bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice.

Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Normal Lung evaluated in Rabbits: A Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

PURPOSE: To assess the CT and histological findings after cryoablation in the normal lung of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After performing chest CT on rabbits, we inserted a cryoneedle toward the lower lobe of the right lung. We performed percutaneous cryoablation that was composed of freeze-thaw-freeze cycles (25 minutes) for group 1 animals and one cycle of variable freezing time (10-20 minutes) for group 2 animals. We measured the longest (Dl) and shortest diameter (Ds) of the ablated zones that were determined after cryoablation for all of the CT images. After cryoablation, we performed a pathological examination. RESULTS: The mean Dl and Ds of the ablated zone was 28.1+/-3.9 mm and 16+/-1.6 mm, respectively, for group 1 rabbits. For group 2 rabbits, the mean Dl and Ds was 28.7+/-6.3 mm and 14.4+/-3.8 mm, respectively, for one cycle of 20 minutes freezing time. Based on the histological findings, the ablated zone was composed of a necrotic, hemorrhagic, and inflammatory area, in order from the center to the outside. Although each area was well differentiated in group 1 rabbits, only freezing for one cycle of 20 minutes for the group 2 rabbits gave the same results as for the group 1 rabbits. CONCLUSION: A total freezing time of at least 20 minutes and two more freeze-thaw-freeze cycles might be important factors for providing a sufficient area of the ablated zone and uniform necrosis during cryoablation.

Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta and Its Receptors during Acetic Acid-induced Duodenal Ulcer Healing in Rats

BACKGROUND: Many works have been written about the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) which is closely associated with fibrosis in the inflammatory conditions of different organs. TGF-beta1 exerts its biological effects by interacting with specific cell surface receptors, namely, transforming growth factor-beta receptor type I and II (TGFbetaRI and TGFbetaRII). METHODS:To investigate the temporal expressions and localizations of TGF-beta1, TGFRbetaI, and TGFbetaRII in acetic acid-induced duodenal ulcerated tissues, we performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Under in situ hybridization, TGF-beta1, TGFbetaRI, and TGFbetaRII mRNA signals increased in the experimental groups (1, 3, 7, and 14 day groups) compared to those of the control group. The signals on day 14 decreased slightly compared to those of days 1, 3, and 7, but they were higher than those of the control group. Under immunohistochemical study, TGF-beta1, TGFbetaRI, and TGFbetaRII were localized in the mucosal epithelial cells and in the macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, and fibroblasts of the lamina propria and granulation tissue. As in the case of the in situ hybridization, it revealed that the expression of three proteins increased in the experimental groups compared to that of the control group. The expression on day 14 decreased compared to those of days 1, 3, and 7, but it was more intense than that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that TGF-beta1, TGFbetaRI, and TGFbetaRII contribute to the early stage healing of duodenal ulcer.

Intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in von Recklinghausen's disease

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is defined as any malignant tumor arising from or differentiating toward the cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. MPNST accounts for about 5-10% of all soft tissue tumors and is often associated with neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1, von Recklinghausen's disease). It is one of the malignant tumors associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. Its common site is the lower and upper extremities, trunk, head and neck. But intrathoracic manifestations are very rare. We report a case of a 40 year-old man with multiple neurofibromatosis who was presented with an intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor