Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging: Novel Method for the Evaluation of Chronic Alcohol-Induced Testicular Damage

Abstract

Objective: The goals of this study were to determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging could be used for assessment of chronic alcohol-induced testicular damage (CAITD) and to explore the relationships between the laboratory and pathological findings of CAITD and the quantitative parameters of CEUS.

Methods: Thirty-six rabbits were randomly divided into a chronic ethanol exposure (CEE) group and negative control (NC) group, which were further randomly divided into six groups with equal numbers of rabbits by period of exposure (30 d, 60 d, 90 d). All rabbits underwent conventional US and CEUS imaging at the end of the induction period. Blood and histological specimens were collected for laboratory and pathological examination.

Results: The peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) for the CEUS parameters decreased as CAITD progressed (p < 0.05). Both PI and AUC were positively correlated with the Johnsen score (r= 0.945 and 0.898, respectively, all p values <0.001) and the mean epithelium thickness of the seminiferous tubule (METST) (r= 0.927 and 0.881, respectively, all p values <0.001) of the testis, and negatively correlated with the serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) (r = -0.940 and -0.899, respectively, all p values <0.001) and nitric oxide (NO) (r = -0.894 and -0.954, respectively, all p values <0.001), as well as the testicular tissue content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (r = -0.894 and -0.945, respectively, all p values <0.001).

Conclusion: CEUS imaging can be used for monitoring organ perfusion of the testis to quantify the development of CAITD.

Keywords: Chronic ethanol exposure; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Seminiferous tubule; Testicular damage; Ultrasound.