Novel Imaging Method Enables Early Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of Type 2 Diabetes

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 16 Apr 2025

Image: Diagram of ULM processing (Photo courtesy of Cyborg and Bionic Systems)

Type 2 diabetes is recognized as an autoimmune inflammatory disease, where chronic inflammation leads to alterations in pancreatic islet microvasculature, a key factor in β-cell dysfunction. The pancreas is richly vascularized, and understanding changes in islet blood flow is essential for comprehending the progression of diabetes and the functionality of β-cells. Current imaging methods like functional MRI and Doppler ultrasound have limitations in their resolution and sensitivity to microvascular details, which hampers the ability to detect early-stage changes in islet function and β-cell mass. Now, a new study has demonstrated the use of Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) for monitoring the progression of Type 2 Diabetes and assessing the effectiveness of anti-cytokine immunotherapy. This research, published in Cyborg and Bionic Systems, utilized ULM imaging to examine pancreatic microvasculature in vivo, offering valuable insights into alterations in β-cell mass and islet function during the course of Type 2 Diabetes.

In this study, researchers from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU, Hangzhou, China) employed a rat model of Type 2 Diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. They explored the application of ULM to monitor changes in pancreatic microvasculature and β-cell function. By combining ULM imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, the researchers achieved high-resolution visualization of microvascular structure and blood flow dynamics. They tracked the movement of microbubbles and quantified vascular parameters such as tortuosity, fractal dimension, and vessel density to evaluate disease progression. Furthermore, they tested the impact of anti-cytokine immunotherapy (XOMA052) on β-cell function by assessing its ability to restore the microvascular environment. Their findings revealed significant improvements in vascular structure and function, suggesting that the therapy had a positive effect on β-cell function. The study concluded that ULM is a promising non-invasive tool for monitoring Type 2 Diabetes progression and evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic treatments like anti-cytokine therapy.

The study provides strong evidence that ULM can be used as an effective non-invasive method to track the progression of Type 2 Diabetes and assess the impact of anti-cytokine immunotherapy. ULM enabled high-resolution imaging of pancreatic microvascular morphology and hemodynamics, which were closely linked to β-cell loss and islet dysfunction. The treatment with XOMA052, an anti-cytokine therapy, notably enhanced microvascular structure and function, indicating its potential to restore β-cell function. However, the researchers also noted some limitations. The resolution of ULM could be influenced by the ultrasound system's frame rate, potentially affecting the precision of blood flow measurements. Additionally, motion artifacts and signal interference from surrounding tissues may impact image reconstruction and the accuracy of quantification.

“As a novel imaging method. ULM offers high resolution and allows for real-time, in vivo monitoring of pancreatic microvascular morphology and hemodynamics,” said study author Tao Zhang, PhD at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. “ULM overcomes the limitations of traditional imaging methods and provides a new opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of Type 2 Diabetes.”