A Correlative Study Between IVIM-DWI Parameters And Ang-2 And TKT Expression Levels In Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Objective:To study the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)parameters and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)and transketolase(TKT)expression levels in hepatocellular carcinomas.Materials and methods:Conventional non-enhanced MRI and IVIM-DWI and dynamic contrast MRI were performed in 61 patients with HCC before surgical treatment.The IVIM-DWI parameters,such as apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),slow apparent diffusion coefficient(D),fast apparent diffusion coefficient(D*)and fraction of fast apparent diffusion coefficient(f),were calculated with the Function-MADC software.The expression of Ang-2 and TKT of HCC were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and classified into two grades.Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between IVIM-DWI parameters and Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.Independent sample t test was used to compare the parameters differences between the two groups.Results:The expression of Ang-2 showed positive correlations with the D*and f;but not ADC and D.The D*and f values in high Ang-2 group were significantly higher than those in low Ang-2 group;ADC and D were not obviously different in the two groups.TKT expression showed a negative correlation with the ADC and D;but not D*and f.The ADC and D values in the high TKT group were significantly lower than those in low TKT group;but both the differences of D*and f were not significant in the two groups.Conclusion:The IVIM-DWI parameters were correlated with Ang-2 and TKT expression levels in HCCs.IVIM-DWI can be used to evaluate the expression of Ang-2 and TKT.