Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) Validation Study in Individuals With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to see how effective the investigators' optimized magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sequence in quantifying hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) to enhance MRS as a diagnostic tool in non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Detailed Description
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One way to gauge MRS as an effective diagnostic tool is by looking at the reproducibility of the liver fat measurements on subjects by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). This study assesses the modified MRS sequence, using both breath holds and free breathing. The HTGC levels are measured twice in the same individuals on two independent events separated by 10 minutes. Subjects are then given a high fat, high carbohydrate meal of Pizza Hut pizza, Pepsi, and Oreo cookies. Two hours after eating the meal, the subjects return to the scanner and repeat all MRS scans.

Official Title
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MRS Validation Study of Hepatic Triglyceride Content in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)Subjects Pre- and Post-Prandial

Conditions
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Liver Diseases

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Obese Exclusion Criteria: Diabetes Pregnant

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| NAFLD<br>Non-diabetic, obese with diagnosed NAFLD (HTGC greater or equal to 5.5%) | |
| Non-NAFLD<br>Non-diabetic, obese with no previous diagnosis of NAFLD | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Reproducibility of the Hepatic Triglyceride Content Measurement by MRS. | We compared three 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy sequences: A Standard Siemens sequence, and an optimized sequence with either breath-holds or free-breathing. Repeat scans were done with the subject briefly removed from and returned to the scanner between scans. The results given are coefficients of variation of the triglyceride signal divided by the water signal. | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Hepatic Triglyceride Content Pre- and Post-prandial. | We compared the intrahepatic triglyceride content in subjects after a 12 hour fast and 2 hours after eating a high fat, high carbohydrate meal. The measure reported here is for the pre and post prandial results given as the ratio of triglyceride signal to water signal. After showing its reliability, we chose to use the results from the optimized breath-hold sequence. | after a 12 hour fast and 2 hours post-prandial | 
| T2 (Spin-spin Relaxation Time) Ratios of Triglyceride/Water | T2 (spin-spin relaxation time) ratios of triglyceride/water using optimized PRESS sequences | baseline cross-sectional measurements | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Obese, MRS, hepatic triglyceride content, MR spectroscopy