In vivo NMR, biochemical, and histologic evaluation of alcohol‐induced fatty liver in rat and a comparison with CCl₄ hepatotoxicity

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) were used to follow the time course of ethanol‐induced fatty liver in a group of 10 rats fed a diet containing 12% alcohol (ethanol) over a 5‐week period. The MR data consisted of T₁‐weighted images, in vivo ¹H spectra, and in vivo T₁, relaxation measurements. Changes in short TR images as a result of fatty accumulation were noted only as a slight increase in liver intensity relative to surrounding muscle. A poorly correlated (r = 0.54) increase in water T₁ with time was observed. No statistically significant changes in lipid T₁ were found. MRS derived lipid content was compared with biochemically derived total lipids and histology. MRS determined liver lipids were found to increase linearly with time (r = 0.91). Biochemically derived lipid content also increased with prolonged exposure to ethanol (r = 0.96). The averages of MRS derived lipid content agreed well with the average changes in biochemically determined total lipid concentration. Histologic examination revealed slight to moderate changes in fatty accumulation with significant variation in the group at the end of the study. On an individual basis the MRS and histologic evaluation were highly correlated (r = 0.94). © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.