Abstract: SA-PO0247
Gadolinium Retention in Mouse Organs After Two-Week Exposure to Omniscan, a Linear Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent
Session Information
- Pharmacology
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
- 2000 Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
Authors
- Dokladny, Karol, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Escobar, G. Patricia, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Deaguero, Joshua, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Ali, Abdul Mehdi S., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Henderson, Ian, Kidney Institute of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Wagner, Brent, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Background
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been extensively used in modern diagnostic medicine. Although considered safe, they were linked to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, a rare but highly disabling and often fatal condition. Patients exposed to GBCAs may also suffer from kidney injury and fatal gadolinium encephalopathy. The US FDA ordered a black box warning for all GBCAs. There are two classes of GBCAs: linear and macrocyclic. Our previous research has shown that 4-week exposures to GBCA lead to gadolinium retention in the vital organs, including the kidneys and liver. We showed this treatment causes the formation of nanoparticles, which we hypothesize are a causative factor in developing pathological conditions. The present study aimed to test whether a 2-week exposure results in gadolinium retention and nanoparticle formation in a mouse model.
Methods
14 male mice (C57BL/6) were randomized to two experimental groups: saline-treated controls and gadolinium-based contrast agent Omniscan (OMN)-treated group. OMN was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 2 mM for 5 days a week for two weeks. After a 5-day washout, the vital organs were excised and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. On average, 15 mg of tissue was digested in nitric acid, and gadolinium concentrations were quantified using PerkinElmer NexION 300D inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with a detection limit of 0.01 ppb.
Results
In all examined organs, but skeletal muscle tissue, OMN exposure resulted in a significant accumulation compared with saline-treated animals. The magnitude of gadolinium retention is organ-specific. The kidneys accumulated the highest amount of gadolinium, followed by skin and liver. A 2-week treatment of OMN resulted in a significant accumulation of gadolinium in the kidneys (64.5 mg/kg vs 0.02 mg/kg in the controls, with p<0.001). Gadolinium concentration in OMN-treated animals was 21.4 (skin) and 14.7 mg/kg (liver) compared with 0.27 (skin) and 0.06 mg/kg (liver) in saline-treated animals. In serum, gadolinium levels remained elevated in the OMN-treated group after a 5-day washout.
Conclusion
Gadolinium is detectable in the vital organs after 2 weeks of exposure to OMN. The levels are organ-dependent. Future studies are required to determine those tissue-specific differences.
Funding
- NIDDK Support