Decreased phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model

Figure 3 Results of Levovist^® CEUS in each group. A: Examination of changes in the fluorescent intensity up to 20 min after administration of Levovist^®, with the values at 5 min considered as the standard, showed that the fluorescent intensity in the control group tended to rise from 10 min onwards, and remained elevated. In the 1-wk group, the contrast effect remained fairly constant from 5 min to 20 min. After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet, CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity, 20 min after intravenous Levovist^®; B: Changes in the fluorescent intensity in Levovist^® contrast enhanced ultrasonograms in each group. In the control group, the fluorescent intensity increased significantly at 20 min compared with the findings at 5 min, whereas a significant chronological decrease was seen in the NASH groups (n = 5). ^aP > 0.05, ^bP < 0.01.