目的:观察钆喷酸葡胺(Gd-DTPA)在脑细胞外间隙(brain extracellular space,ECS)中扩散的磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)表现与规律,探讨应用MRI示踪法对ECS进行定量分析的可行性。方法:将8只雄性SD大鼠(280 g~320 g)麻醉后,参考脑立体定位图谱,选取冠状位苍白球为中心层面,以尾状核为靶点进行穿刺定位,导入Gd-DTPA2μL。于导入后1、3、6、9、12 h分别进行MRI扫描,观察MRI表现,测量示踪剂导入侧所在脑区与对侧相应脑区MR信号强度随时间的变化规律。于12 h MRI扫描结束后,对大鼠进行行为学评分。结果:MRI图像证实6只大鼠Gd-DTPA导入点位于尾状核区,2只位于外囊区。Gd-DTPA在尾状核区导入后呈均匀扩散,3 h扩散到达同侧大脑皮层,扩散后主要分布在大脑中动脉供血区的脑组织。随着扩散范围的增大,尾状核区的MRI信号强度逐渐下降,3 h后各个时间点相对MRI信号强度ΔS与1 h时ΔS间差异存在统计学意义(t=95.63,P〈0.01),3 h后的各组ΔS间差异无统计学意义(P〉0.05)。ΔS的衰减规律呈指数形式[y=1.7886x^-0.1776(R^2=0.94)]。导入外囊区的Gd-DTPA在1 h的MRI上呈弧形沿白质纤维扩散,表现为各向异性。在3 h后呈扇形向相邻脑区扩散,6 h时扩散到达同侧皮层区。结论:应用MRI示踪法可动态观察Gd-DTPA在细胞外间隙的扩散与清除衰减规律,是在活体对ECS解剖与生理学参数进行定量研究的可行方法。
Objective:To observe the diffusion of Gd-DTPA in brain extracellular space(ECS) by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and investigate the feasibility of ECS measurement by using MRI tracer method in vivo.Methods: 2 μL Gd-DTPA was introduced into ECS by caudate nucleus according to stereotaxic atlas in 8 Sprague Dawley(SD) rats(male,280~320 g).The MRI scans were performed at 1 h,3 h,6 h,9 h and 12 h respectively after administration.MRI appearances of Gd-DTPA diffusion and distribution was observed and compared.The MRI signal enhancement was measured at each time point.The neuroethology assessment was performed after MRI scanning at 12 h.Results: The injection was accurate at the center of the caudate nucleus in 6 rats,while,at the capsula externa in other 2 rats.Gd-DTPA diffused isotropically after it was introduced into caudate nucleus,which spread into lateral cortex at 3 h.The MRI signal enhancement distributed mainly in the middle cerebral artery territory.A significant difference was found between the signal enhancement ratio at 1 h and that at 3 h in the original point of caudate nucleus(t=95.63,P〈0.01),and the signal enhancement attenuated following the exponential power function y=1.7886x^-0.1776(R2=0.94).In 2 rats with the injection point at capsula externa,Gd-DTPA diffused anisotropically along the fiber track of white matter during 1 h to 3 h,and spread into the lateral cortex at 6 h.Conclusion: The diffusion and clearance of Gd-DTPA in brain ECS could be monitored and measured quantitatively in vivo by MRI tracer method.