Fig. 2
From: Targeting activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) for liver fibrosis imaging
Radionuclide images of the integrin αvβ3 expression in the livers of the normal control and liver fibrosis rats. Mild and advanced fibroses were respectively induced in rats by thioacetamide (TAA) treatment for 3 and 9 weeks. Each animal was administered 6 μCi of 99mTc-cRGDfK by way of the penile vein. a The representative radionuclide images were obtained at 15, 30, and 45 min after administration. b The region of interest (ROI) in the liver and heart was discriminated, and the radioactivity (counts/pixel) ratio of the liver to heart was calculated and compared. Data represent means ± SD (n = 3 per group). *P < 0.05 versus the control group, #P < 0.05 versus mild fibrosis. Reproduced with permission from ref. [47]