Rabadi Toni, Kirchner Luisa, Pausch Antonia M, Elsner Clara, Hötker Andreas M
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, Zurich 8091, Switzerland.
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, Zurich 8091, Switzerland.
Eur J Radiol. 2025 Aug 17;192:112366. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112366.
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to non-invasively assess the influence of aging on renal microstructure and function.
This prospective, diagnostic, IRB-approved study included healthy volunteers over 18 years of age who underwent renal mpMRI at 3 Tesla. The mpMRI study protocols included T1, T2, and T2* mapping, arterial spin labeling, and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion imaging. Participants were stratified into three predefined age groups. Associations between MRI-derived renal biomarkers and age were assessed using Pearson or Spearman correlation, ANOVA, simple and multivariable linear regression analysis.
A total of 46 healthy volunteers were included and stratified into three age groups (20-40, 40-60, and 60 + years). T1 medullary (T1 M) relaxation times significantly decreased with age (p < 0.01), accompanied by a reduction in T2* medullary (T2* M) values (p < 0.01) and renal blood flow (RBF) as measured by ASL (p = 0.03). No significant associations were observed between age and IVIM parameters or T2 times. MRI-derived values showed no correlation with serum creatinine in healthy volunteers.
Our findings suggest that changes in renal microstructure and function can be quantified using mpMRI, with T1 M and T2* M values as well as RBF emerging as potential imaging biomarkers for renal aging. The ability to assess renal physiology non-invasively using functional MRI may provide a valuable tool for distinguishing physiological renal aging from early pathological deterioration. This approach may enhance early detection of kidney disease and risk stratification in nephrology.
Can multiparametric renal MRI non-invasively detect age-related changes in kidney microstructure in healthy adults?
Medullary T1 and T2* values as well as renal blood flow significantly decline with increasing age in healthy volunteers.
Multiparametric MRI enables early, non-invasive assessment of physiological renal aging and may assist in differentiating early kidney disease from normal aging.
引言/目的：研究多参数磁共振成像（mpMRI）非侵入性评估衰老对肾脏微观结构和功能影响的能力。
这项前瞻性、诊断性、经机构审查委员会批准的研究纳入了18岁以上的健康志愿者，他们在3特斯拉磁场下接受了肾脏mpMRI检查。mpMRI研究方案包括T1、T2和T2*映射、动脉自旋标记和体素内不相干运动（IVIM）扩散成像。参与者被分为三个预先定义的年龄组。使用Pearson或Spearman相关性分析、方差分析、简单和多变量线性回归分析评估MRI衍生的肾脏生物标志物与年龄之间的关联。
共纳入46名健康志愿者，并分为三个年龄组（20 - 40岁、40 - 60岁和60岁以上）。随着年龄增长，T1髓质（T1 M）弛豫时间显著缩短（p < 0.01），同时T2髓质（T2 M）值降低（p < 0.01），通过动脉自旋标记测量的肾血流量（RBF）也降低（p = 0.03）。未观察到年龄与IVIM参数或T2时间之间存在显著关联。在健康志愿者中，MRI衍生值与血清肌酐无相关性。
我们的研究结果表明，使用mpMRI可以量化肾脏微观结构和功能的变化，T1 M和T2* M值以及RBF可作为肾脏衰老的潜在成像生物标志物。使用功能MRI非侵入性评估肾脏生理学的能力可能为区分生理性肾脏衰老与早期病理恶化提供有价值的工具。这种方法可能会加强肾脏疾病的早期检测和肾脏病学中的风险分层。
多参数肾脏MRI能否非侵入性检测健康成年人肾脏微观结构中与年龄相关的变化？
在健康志愿者中，髓质T1和T2*值以及肾血流量随年龄增长显著下降。
多参数MRI能够对生理性肾脏衰老进行早期、非侵入性评估，并可能有助于区分早期肾脏疾病与正常衰老。
