Rabbit systemic glucose metabolism map by total-body dynamic PET/CT technology

Abstract

Background This study evaluated total-body glucose metabolism in a preclinical lab animal, the rabbit, by employing a dynamic glucose metabolic image obtained with total-body fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (PET/CT). Methods The dynamic total-body PET/CT system was used to obtain glucose metabolic imaging from 10 sedated body-matched rabbits. The standard uptake value (SUV) of 18F-FDG was used to evaluate glucose metabolism. In addition, the correlation between glucose metabolism and sexes was assessed, as well as metabolic differences between left- and right sides. Results We found significant distribution heterogeneity of glucose in several organs across the entire body. There were no significant metabolic differences between sexes and between bilateral sides in the 10 rabbits. Thereafter, we assayed the major organ SUV changes by dynamic PET/CT of the major organs. The heart, liver, and urinary system showed more 18F-FDG, whereas the skeletal muscle, brain, spinal cord, and lungs incorporated less 18F-FDG. The phenotype of 18F-FDG uptake was highly correlated with the physiological functions. The 18F-FDG accumulation in urinary system were observed which could reflect the renal parenchyma glucose metabolism indirectly. However, the low 18F-FDG uptake in the brain and spinal cord was due to sedation. Conclusion The total-body glucose metabolic atlas depicted with 18F-FDG dynamic PET/CT may be used as a reference for assessing pathological 18F-FDG uptake. Furthermore, this study could be a reference for preclinical research involving abnormality of glucose metabolism.