Evaluation of Intra Organ Sodium Levels by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the gold standard medical imaging modality for soft tissue characterization. The basic approach of MRI is acquiring resonance signal of proton (1H) spins which is abundant in soft tissue. In general, MRI scanner radio frequency antennas (RF coils) only tuned to transmit and receive at the frequency of hydrogen for proton imaging; however, it is possible to transmit and receive on other frequencies to create resonance images of different molecules.

Acquisition of other nuclei is performed with MR spectroscopy (MRS) and spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). For in vivo applications, common MR-active nuclei are protons (1H), phosphorus (31P), carbon (13C), sodium (23Na), and xenon (129Xe). Protons are the most common due to their high gyromagnetic ratio and natural abundance in the human body. Sodium is the second most abundant of the magnetic resonance sensitive nuclei.

Sodium MRI allows non-invasive examinations of intra-organ sodium concentrations and handling in vivo. These are coupled to electrophysiological and metabolic processes crucial to life. The methods have been thoroughly investigated in laboratory settings but has never made the transition to the clinic due to the inherently low signal to noise of sodium MRI [1]. Imaging is often challenged by a gyromagnetic ratio of about 1/4th of proton making the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 23Na MRI about 6000 times lower than that of proton MRI [2]. Nevertheless, recent years has seen a renewed interest in sodium MRI due to major technical advances of MRI scanner systems and receive coils [1].

In vivo measurements of sodium levels are of special interest for determination of the energy dependent Na+/K+-ATPase (the sodium-potassium pump) - an important physiological transport process of healthy cells [3]-[5]. A transport process which is affected in many clinical conditions involving tissue injury, edema, or necrosis resulting in an increase of total sodium level [6].

Recent studies of sodium levels in healthy subjects have shown circadian variation of several physiological processes e.g. urine output, blood pressure and kidney function [7], [8]. A decrease in sodium excretion at night is showed in humans [7] and renal handling of sodium level is reported to follow circadian variations in mice [9]. It is therefore important to evaluate sodium imaging robustness, possible bias due to circadian variation, and a possible effect of disruption in the circadian rhythms leading to development or progression of certain diseases.

This study aims to evaluate the circadian rhythm in healthy human kidneys. If a circadian change of sodium levels is proven, further investigations of sodium level in diseases such as kidney disease can be developed. The results from this study will provide valuable information for assessment of sodium levels in humans and will contribute to the diagnostic process of multiple disease.

Aim

Increased recognition of the circadian variation is needed as it may result in a foundation for improved understanding of disease processes in several clinical conditions.

The overall aim of this study is to implement and validate an imaging protocol for detection of sodium level changes in-vivo and determine circadian sodium level variations. This will be carried out in two separate studies:

Study I - Evaluation of sodium levels in thigh, heart, kidney, and brain:

The aim of the study is to evaluate sodium levels in thigh, heart, kidney, and brain with the use of magnetic resonance imaging in healthy human subjects.

This initial study will determine the robustness of the sodium specific imaging method in determination of human sodium levels in different MR challenging conditions and organs. The study will provide the needed information to create an optimal scanning protocol for sodium imaging.

Study II - Circadian variations of sodium levels in kidneys:

The aim of the study is to estimate circadian variations in the sodium gradient of the kidney with use of MRI in healthy volunteers, and to relate the MRI findings with the osmolarity proven in urine samples. The investigators hypothesize that the sodium level follows a circadian rhythm. If proven investigations of sodium level in kidney disease can develop. The investigators hypothesize that assessing the sodium level in humans will contribute to the diagnostic process of kidney disease in the future.

Materials and methods

MRI examinations:

The magnetic resonance imaging session will be performed in a clinical 3T MRI scanner (GE healthcare). A commercial human intent non-diagnostic RF coil (PulseTeq) will be used for 23Na MRI.

The scanner, coils and sequences are regularly used in research projects and validated for the same safety requirements as routinely used in the clinic. Nevertheless, the complete MRI session will be performed in research mode to use the advanced options (limits the usage to non-diagnostic purposes).

Participants will be placed in a supine position with coils covering the area of interest (AOF).

MRI examination will be performed by trained personnel.

Study I - MR protocol:

The scan will be performed in four AOFs to acquire sodium level signal from the thigh, heart, kidneys, and brain. Between each AOF the sodium receive coil will be moved to cover the specific organ. Determination of the sodium imaging method robustness is performed with the following MRI sequences. An initial localization scan followed by evaluation of the main magnetic field inhomogeneities (B0 field map). Hereafter the radio frequencies (RF) of the scanner is calibrated (amplitude and frequency) for optimal sodium imaging and an evaluation of the sodium coil is achieved (B1+ field map). Finally, the sodium specific sequence is applied. The B0 and B1 maps are applied in pre-processing to account for magnetic field imperfections and improve sodium imaging robustness.

The scans at the four AOFs are repeated to evaluate repeatability. The scan time with repositioning of coils is approximately 15 min per station (total scan time 2 hours).

If needed the participants are able to have a break between scan stations.

Study II - MR protocol:

The main outcome is 23Na MRI images of the sodium level in kidneys. Furthermore, the investigators will perform blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess changes in renal oxygenation. The MRI examination also measures kidney size, T1, T2 relaxation assed by magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF), ADC (DWI), 23Na distribution (23Na MRI) and perfusion (pCASL).

The scan time is expected to be 30-40 min at each scan (three scans are performed on one examination day), which requires a total scan time ~1½ hours.

Study II - Examination day Participation requires one full day at the MR Centre. MRI scans will be performed three times at the same day within the following time periods: 6.30-8.00 am. (before breakfast), 12.30-14-00 pm. (after lunch) and 21.00-22.00 pm. (after dinner). Participants are not allowed to perform excessive physical exercise the day before and during the study day. Lighter physical exercise as walking, biking etc. is accepted. Alcohol consuming is not allowed the day before and during the study day. The participants can drink and eat as usual, but all fluid intake and urinations shall be documented in a liquid urination schedule. Blood pressure will be measured at each scan session and urine samples are collected just after each scan session to assess the osmolarity.