Quantifying the angiogenesis of C6 glioma in rats based on CT quantitative parameters

Background Glioma is the most common neoplasm that is neuroepithelial in nature. However, Spectral computed tomography (CT) has rarely been reported to detect angiogenesis in tumors. Purpose To investigate the value of multi-parameter spectral CT for the detection of angiogenesis in C6 glioma in rats. Material and Methods Fifteen male Wistar rats were seeded with C6 glioma cells in the right basal ganglia and spectral CT-enhanced scanning was performed at days 7, 10, and 14 after the C6 glioma cells were seeded. The spectral CT parameters were measured in three areas: the solid tumor; the peritumoral area; and the contralateral mirror area. After different periods of scanning, the rats' brain tissue was stained with HE and CD105 immunohistochemical staining. Different periods of spectral CT quantitative parameters and pathological images were analyzed. Results The spectral CT parameter and CD105 among the solid tumor, peritumoral area, and contralateral mirror area were significantly different: monochromatic CT value (211.30 +/- 34.67 HU, 119.16 +/- 13.31 HU, and 55.59 +/- 7.87 HU, P < 0.001); CD105 (16.14 +/- 1.91, 6.79 +/- 1.31, and 2.50 +/- 0.51, P < 0.001); spectral curve slope (10.35 +/- 1.89, 5.33 +/- 0.87, 0.88 +/- 0.26, P < 0.001); iodine (water) value (49.75 +/- 9.02, 26.04 +/- 4.32, 4.36 +/- 1.18, P < 0.001). CD105 correlated strongly with the CT value at 65 keV (correlation coefficient r = 0.98, P < 0.001). Conclusion Multi-parameter spectral CT can reflect the formation of tumor angiogenesis in rat C6 glioma to a certain extent and can be used as an effective means to evaluate glioma.