Multinuclear MR characterization of a new hepatobiliary contrast agent. Preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to characterize the hepatobiliary contrast agent Gd-EOB-DTPA in various media: water solution, protein solution, phosphorylated metabolite solution, and excised and perfused liver tissue.


METHODS
Different NMR techniques were used: analyses of H-1 NMRD profiles, H-2 NMR relaxation rates, O-17 relaxation rates and chemical shifts, and P-31 relaxation rates and peak area.


RESULTS
The higher proton relaxivity of Gd-EOB-DTPA in water as compared to that of Gd-DTPA is due to a smaller distance r and to a longer tau R. The kinetic stability of the former compound in ATP solution is higher and it forms noncovalent bonds with human serum albumin. Internalization of the contrast agent by the hepatocytes does not impair the ATP metabolism of the cells but induces relaxation effects on the intracellular metabolites of the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
Multinuclear MR studies allow the extensive characterization of MR contrast agents in in-vitro and ex-vivo model systems.
Vander Elst
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Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.
Maton
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Laurent
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Seghi
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Muller
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RN
D000818:Animals; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012996:Solutions
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012996:Solutions; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA