Detection of inflammatory bowel disease by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) using an animal model

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the potential of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) in diagnosing early inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were fed 2% carrageenan in their diet for either 1 or 2 weeks. (1)H MRS was performed ex-vivo on colonic mucosal samples (n = 123) and the spectra were analyzed by a multivariate method of analysis. The results of the multivariate analysis were correlated with histological analysis performed using H & E stain for the presence of inflammation in the samples from each group. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis classified the samples in their respective groups with an accuracy of 82%. Our region selection algorithm identified four regions in the spectra as being discriminatory. The metabolites assigned to these regions include creatine, phosphatidylcholine, the -CH(2)HC= group in fatty acyl chain, and the glycerol backbone of lipids. The differences in concentration of these metabolites in each group offer insight into the biochemical changes occurring during IBD and confer diagnostic potential to (1)H MRS as a tool to study colonic inflammation in conjunction with biopsy. CONCLUSION: (1)H MRS is a sensitive tool to detect early colonic inflammation in an animal model of IBD.