Brain glutamine and glutamate levels in patients with liver cirrhosis: assessed by 3.0-T MRS

Hepatology Research : the Official Journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology
Kei SawaraKazuyuki Suzuki

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) studies have revealed abnormal metabolism in the brain of patients with liver cirrhosis, including an increase in total brain glutamine (Gln) and glutamate (Glu) levels (Glx). However, with conventional MRS techniques, it was difficult to separate the Glx signals. Using a high-magnetic field MR equipment and a newly developed data processing method, we attempted to separate the Glx signals on an MRS. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-three patients with liver cirrhosis and 11 healthy adults were enrolled in this study. After designating a region of interest in the occipital lobe gray matter of each subject, [Formula: see text] (proton)-MRS was performed using 3.0-T MR equipment. Results: MRS conducted using the 3.0-T MR equipment allowed Gln signals in the brain to be distinguished from the Glx signals. The brain signal intensity of Gln was found to be significantly higher in the liver cirrhosis group (0.658 +/- 0.23) than in the control group (0.473 +/- 0.08) (P < 0.05). Neither the Glu nor the Gln signal intensity showed any correlation with the blood ammonia level. Conclusion: High-magnetic field MRS allowed us to separate the Glx signals in the brain and revealed that...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Jan 13, 2009·Alcohol and Alcoholism : International Journal of the Medical Council on Alcoholism·Izuru Matsumoto
Jun 29, 2010·Journal of Affective Disorders·José Javier Miguel-HidalgoCraig A Stockmeier
Nov 22, 2012·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism·Laia ChavarriaJuan Córdoba
Jul 24, 2010·Hepatology Research : the Official Journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology·Long Jiang ZhangJi Qi
Apr 8, 2015·Hepatology Research : the Official Journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology·Yohei KookaYasuhiro Takikawa
Aug 21, 2007·Expert Review of Proteomics·Izuru MatsumotoHaruka Matsuda-Matsumoto

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