Comparative study on blood perfusion and angiogenesis of intrahepatic VX2 tumors and inflammatory pseudotumor by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in rabbits with fatty liver

Abstract

Objective To analyze contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) evaluation on blood perfusion of intrahepatic VX2 tumors and inflammatory pseudotumor in rabbits with fatty liver and further compare the angiogenesis expression. Methods Intrahepatic VX2 tumors and inflammatory pseudotumor in rabbit with fatty liver models were well established. The blood perfusion of VX2 tumors and inflammatory pseudotumor in rabbit fatty liver was analyzed using QontraXt CEUS quantitative analysis software, and the microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Twenty VX2 tumor models and 20 inflammatory pseudotumor in fatty liver were successfully established in rabbits. The time to peak (TP), peak intensity (PI) and the area under the curve (AUC) of VX2 tumor in rabbits with fat liver were (24.16±6.58) s, (52.29±13.24) dB, 6.09±2.61; The TP, PI and AUC of IPL in fatty liver were (29.86±6.75) s, (41.36±9.50) dB, 3.86±1.00, respectively. Compared with those for inflammatory pseudotumor lesions in fatty liver rabbits, the time to peak for VX2 tumor lesions were earlier, peak intensity was higher, and area under the curve was larger (P<0.05). The MVD count of VX2 tumor in rabbits with fatty liver was 45.21±8.80, VEGF expression of them was 4.00±0.86; MVD count and VEGF expression of IPL in fatty livers was 21.10±3.31, 2.00±0.86, respectively. Compared with those for inflammatory pseudotumor lesions in fatty liver rabbits, MVD count and VEGF protein expression for VX2 tumors were significantly higher (P<0.05). Conclusions The CEUS blood perfusion, MVD count, and VEGF protein expression for VX2 tumor lesions were higher than those for inflammatory pseudotumor lesions in rabbits with fatty liver. Low mechanical index contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with QontraXt quantitative analysis software can accurately reflect blood perfusion of benign and malignant tumor as well as angiogenesis of malignancies in fatty liver. Key words: Fatty liver; VX2 xenograft tumor; Inflammatory pseudotumor; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Microvascular density; Vascular endothelial growth factor