Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways
Water is the most indispensable material for life. Although extensive research has been carried out at the microscopic level, including studies focusing on transport and molecular effects, the macroscopic water system of the human body is still unclear. In this study, the distribution of free water...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Royal Society
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
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| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250065 |
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| author | Lu Sun Liting Wang Le He Changsong Liu Fengshan Bai |
| author_facet | Lu Sun Liting Wang Le He Changsong Liu Fengshan Bai |
| author_sort | Lu Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water is the most indispensable material for life. Although extensive research has been carried out at the microscopic level, including studies focusing on transport and molecular effects, the macroscopic water system of the human body is still unclear. In this study, the distribution of free water in the human body under natural conditions was non-invasively depicted by magnetic resonance hydrography sequences. Spatial saturation technique was used to explore the dynamic properties of free water. Imaging and post-processing results reveal that abundant free water formed a macroscopic network consisting of interconnected pathways. The slow flow trajectories of some waterways were captured in the saturation band. The free-water channels enclosed or bordered the space around blood vessels and nerves or traversed the tissues. This spatial relationship is similar to the fluid flow patterns in the interstitial space in the periphery and the glymphatic system of the brain, suggesting potential physiological functions and pathological variations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-904bd41de83c46589693b4a7f4c0e69f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-904bd41de83c46589693b4a7f4c0e69f2025-08-20T03:10:06ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032025-06-0112610.1098/rsos.250065Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathwaysLu Sun0Liting Wang1Le He2Changsong Liu3Fengshan Bai4Department of Mathematical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Mathematical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of ChinaWater is the most indispensable material for life. Although extensive research has been carried out at the microscopic level, including studies focusing on transport and molecular effects, the macroscopic water system of the human body is still unclear. In this study, the distribution of free water in the human body under natural conditions was non-invasively depicted by magnetic resonance hydrography sequences. Spatial saturation technique was used to explore the dynamic properties of free water. Imaging and post-processing results reveal that abundant free water formed a macroscopic network consisting of interconnected pathways. The slow flow trajectories of some waterways were captured in the saturation band. The free-water channels enclosed or bordered the space around blood vessels and nerves or traversed the tissues. This spatial relationship is similar to the fluid flow patterns in the interstitial space in the periphery and the glymphatic system of the brain, suggesting potential physiological functions and pathological variations.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250065free waternetwork pathwaynon-invasivephysiological mechanisminterstitial space |
| spellingShingle | Lu Sun Liting Wang Le He Changsong Liu Fengshan Bai Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways Royal Society Open Science free water network pathway non-invasive physiological mechanism interstitial space |
| title | Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways |
| title_full | Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways |
| title_fullStr | Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways |
| title_short | Tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging: new insights on the network pathways |
| title_sort | tracking free water in human body by magnetic resonance imaging new insights on the network pathways |
| topic | free water network pathway non-invasive physiological mechanism interstitial space |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250065 |
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