Protection of SPIO-clodronate liposome against liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and its evaluation by MRI / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the protective effect of clodronate SPIO liposomes on liver injury of rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)and the role of MRI in evaluating the extent of liver injury.Methods Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by chemical coprecipitation.Clodronate-SPIO-containing liposomes was prepared by the thin-film method.SAP models were prepared by a uniform injection of sodium taurocholate(2 ml/kg body weight)into the subcapsular space of the pancreas.SD rats were randomly divided into control group,SAP plus SPIO group, and clodronate-SPIO-containing liposome group.Six hours after SAP models were available,T2-weighted MRI scanning(in the same plane)of the liver of rats in each group were performed.At the end of the scanning,blood samples were taken from the supcrior mesenteric vein to measure the contents of serum ALT and AST.Meanwhile, The pathological changes in the liver and pancreas were observed.Results Transmission electron microscopic examination showed that liposomes had a uniform size.No changes in the pancreas of rats in control group were noted.The pathological changes in the pancreas and liver of rats in SAP plus clodronate-SPIO-containing liposome group were significantly milder than those in SAP plus SPIO liposome group.The contents of serum ALT and AST in rats in SAP plus SPIO liposome group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.01), while the contents of serum ALT and AST in rats in SAP plus clodronate-SPIO-containing group were significantly lower than those in SAP plus SPIO liposome group(P＜0.01).The MRI signal intensity of the liver in SAP plus SPIO liposome group and SAP plus clodronate-SPIO-containing liposome group was significantly lower than that in control group.The significant changes in the MRI signal intensity of the liver in SAP plus SPIO liposome group and SAP plus Clodronate-SPIO liposome group were noted(P＜0.01).Conclusion Clodronate-containing liposomes have protective effects against liver injury in SAP rats and SPIO can be used as a tracer for MRI examination.