Abstract: TH-PO0836
Gadolinium-Rich Nanoparticle Biogenesis After MultiHance Exposure
Session Information
- Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
- 1900 Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
Authors
- Wagner, Brent, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Deaguero, Joshua, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Ali, Abdul Mehdi S., University of New Mexico Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Howard, Tamara A., The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Degnan, James H., The University of New Mexico Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Brearley, Adrian, University of New Mexico Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Saenz-Trevizo, Angelica, University of New Mexico Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Escobar, G. Patricia, The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Group or Team Name
- Kidney Institute of New Mexico
Background
We previously reported gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in human kidneys after exposure to magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. The Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System includes 594 cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis linked to MultiHance as of this writing. Our central hypothesis is that gadolinium-rich nanoparticles represent an early step in magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent-induced toxicity.
Methods
Human kidney specimens were obtained from the University of New Mexico Human Tissue Repository. Mice received a single dose of MultiHance (2.5 mmol/kg). On post-administration days 1–32, we collected kidney, liver, serum, and urine samples (n = 3 per time point). We quantified gadolinium with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We selected Ca, Fe, Gd, O, and P for elemental analysis because of significant Student t-test results after Benjamini-Hochberg correction.
Results
We found gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in the kidney of a patient with a history of 5 exposures to MultiHance. The area under the curve for gadolinium concentrations was kidney > liver > urine > skin > lung > adipose > heart > muscle. Gadolinium-rich nanoparticles were present in the kidneys. The gadolinium-to-calcium, gadolinium-to-iron, gadolinium-to-phosphorus, and gadolinium-to-oxygen ratios were 0.9, 1.0, 7.7, and 21.3, respectively.
Conclusion
MultiHance degrades into noncrystalline gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in the kidneys within one day of systemic administration. The elemental ratios do not support pure gadolinium phosphate as the dominant product. These nanoparticles may represent an early mechanistic step in complications induced by magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.
Figure. (A) MultiHance exposure timeline. (B) Intracellular gadolinium-rich nanoparticle in human renal tissue from a contrast-exposed patient. Scale bar, 100 nm.
Funding
- Veterans Affairs Support – DCI