Hepatic regeneration following radiation-induced liver injury is associated with increased hepatobiliary secretion measured by PET in Göttingen minipigs

Normal liver tissue is highly vulnerable towards irradiation, which remains a challenge in radiotherapy of hepatic tumours. Here, we examined the effects of radiation-induced liver injury on two specific liver functions and hepatocellular regeneration in a minipig model. Five Göttingen minipigs were exposed to whole-liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in one fraction (14 Gy) and examined 4-5 weeks after; five pigs were used as controls. All pigs underwent in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) studies of the liver using the conjugated bile acid tracer [N-methyl-¹¹C]cholylsarcosine ([¹¹C]CSar) and the galactose-analogue tracer [¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose ([¹⁸F]FDGal). Liver tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically and by immunohistochemical assessment of hepatocellular mitosis, proliferation and apoptosis. Compared with controls, both the rate constant for secretion of [¹¹C]CSar from hepatocytes into intrahepatic bile ducts as well as back into blood were doubled in irradiated pigs, which resulted in reduced residence time of [¹¹C]CSar inside the hepatocytes. Also, the hepatic systemic clearance of [¹⁸F]FDGal in irradiated pigs was slightly increased, and hepatocellular regeneration was increased by a threefold. In conclusion, parenchymal injury and increased regeneration after whole-liver irradiation was associated with enhanced hepatobiliary secretion of bile acids. Whole-liver SBRT in minipigs ultimately represents a potential large animal model of radiation-induced liver injury and for testing of normal tissue protection methods.