Rong, J.; Zhu, Y.; Zhu, K.; Shao, M.; Yin, X.; Liu, T.; Wang, X.

Objective: To explore the potential of T1 and T2 mappings in assessing liver fibrosis (LF) and investigate the relationships between MRI and liver fibrogenesis markers. Materials and methods: A total of 39 male mice were divided into the control group and the model group with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration for 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The METAVIR system was performed to stage fibrosis. MRI T1 and T2 mappings were performed and T1, and T2 values were calculated. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Spearman\'s rank correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed. Results: T1 and T2 values increased with progressing severity of fibrosis induction. T1 and T2 were significantly correlated with LF stages. The area under the curves (AUCs) range of T1 and T2 for predicting [≥]F1, [≥]F2, [≥]F3, and F4 were 0.842-0.994 and 0.808-0.883, respectively. T1 and T2 showed moderate to strong correlations with collagen associated protein and inflammatory factors. Discussion: T1 and T2 mappings can evaluate and differentiate LF stages in the CCl4 induced model. T1 is better correlated with collagen deposition and inflammation of LF than T2.