Hepatocyte-mediated transport to the bile of AMI-HS, a particulate contrast agent.
OBJECTIVE
The elimination of hepatocyte-directed particulate contrast agents has not been studied in the same detail as particles eliminated mainly by the mononuclear phagocyte system. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the fate of these particles by a multidisciplinary approach.


METHODS
After intravenous injection of AMI-HS particles directed to the hepatocytes, rats were killed and cytological studies, by both electron microscopy and histochemistry, and spectroscopic studies of the bile were performed. The data were compared with a dynamic magnetic resonance study of the heart and liver.


RESULTS
The particles were rapidly cleared from the blood by Kupffer cells and hepatocytes and then found first in the vascular and later in the biliary pole of the hepatocytes. After 24 hours, a relaxometric characterization of the bile showed the presence of unchanged particles in the bile.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show the capacity of the liver to excrete unchanged AMI-HS particles directly into the bile.
Dupas
B
B
Department of Radiology, Hôtel Dieu, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France. benoit.dupas@chu-nantes.fr
Pradal
G
G
Muller
R N
RN
Bonnemain
B
B
Meflah
K
K
Bach-Gansmo
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D051381:Rats; D014463:Ultrasonography
C440249:AMI-HS cpd; D003287:Contrast Media; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D007501:Iron