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Abstract: SA-PO1048

Gadolinium Retention Is Modulated by Prior Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent Exposures

Session Information

Category: Pathology and Lab Medicine

  • 1800 Pathology and Lab Medicine

Authors

  • Dokladny, Karol, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Ali, Abdul Mehdi S., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Deaguero, Joshua, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Howard, Tamara A., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Escobar, G. Patricia, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Wagner, Brent, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Background

Complications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents include crippling systemic fibrosis, kidney injury, and fatal gadolinium encephalopathy. Gadolinium, a rare earth metal in the periodic table’s lanthanide series, has been extensively used in modern diagnostic medicine to enhance MRI procedures. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are grouped into two categories: linear (Omniscan) or macrocyclic (Dotarem). Patients are often exposed to multiple brands of contrast agents. The impact of this practice on gadolinium retention and pathology has never been examined.

Methods

In our study, 21 male mice were randomized to five experimental groups: (1) saline-treated controls; gadolinium-based contrast agent-treated (2) Omniscan (OMN), (3) Dotarem (DOT), or in combination (4) OMN (1 week) followed by DOT administration for 3 weeks or (5) DOT (1 week) followed by OMN treatment for 3 weeks. Saline or contrast agents were administered via intraperitoneal injections 5 days a week for 4 weeks according to our established protocols. Tissues were excised and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. On average, 15 mg of tissue were digested in nitric acid, and gadolinium concentrations were quantified using PerkinElmer NexION 300D inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) with a detection limit of 0.01 ppb.

Results

Regardless of the mode of exposure, 4-week treatment of OMN or DOT only or in combination (OMN-DOT or DOT-OMN) resulted in a significant accumulation of gadolinium in the tested organs. Gadolinium accumulation in the liver was lower in animals treated with DOT alone or in combination with OMN (OMN-DOT) than in animals administered with OMN alone or with DOT (DOT-OMN). In the kidney, the lowest gadolinium accumulation was observed in the OMN-DOT group in comparison with other GBCA-treated groups. GBCA treatments did not influence calcium levels in the kidneys or livers.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that prior GBCA exposures influence gadolinium retention in the kidney or liver. Future studies are needed to determine if this factor is influential in the pathophysiology of NSF in humans.