Integration of texture analysis based on DCE-MRI Ktrans map and metabolomics of early bone marrow microvascular changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

To evaluate early bone marrow microvascular changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits using IDEAL-IQ fat quantification, texture analysis based on DCE-MRI Ktrans map, and metabolomics. 24 male Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into diabetic (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. All rabbits underwent sagittal MRI of the lumbar vertebrae at the 0th,4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th week, respectively. The fat fraction (FF) ratio and quantitative permeability of the lumbar bone marrow was measured. Texture parameters were extracted from DCE-MRI Ktrans map. At 16th week, lumbar vertebrae 5 and 6 were used for histological analysis. Lumbar vertebra 7 was crushed to obtain bone marrow for metabolomics research. The FF ratio and Ktrans of the lumbar bone marrow in diabetic group were increased significantly at 16th week (t = 2.226, P = 0.02; Z = -2.721, P < 0.01). Nine texture feature parameters based on DCE-MRI Ktrans map were significantly different between the groups at the 16th week (all P < 0.05). Pathway analysis showed that diabetic bone marrow microvascular changes were mainly related to linoleic acid metabolism. Differential metabolites were correlated with the number of adipocytes, FF ratio, and permeability parameters. The integration of metabolomics with texture analysis based on DCE-MRI Ktrans map may be used to evaluate diabetic bone marrow microvascular changes at an early stage. It remains to be validated in clinical studies whether the integration of metabolomics with texture analysis based on the DCE-MRI Ktrans map can effectively evaluate diabetic bone marrow.