title: Contrast agents for functional and cellular MRI of the kidney.
abstract: Low-molecular-weight gadolinium (Gd) chelates are glomerular tracers but their role in evaluation of renal function with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is still marginal. Because of their small size, they diffuse freely into the interstitium and the relationship between measured signal intensity and concentration is complex. New categories of contrast agents, such as large Gd-chelates or iron oxide particules, with different pharmacokinetic and magnetic properties have been developed. These large molecules could be useful for both functional (quantification of perfusion, quantification of glomerular filtration rate, estimation of tubular function) and cellular imaging (intrarenal phagocytosis in inflammatory renal diseases). Continuous development of new contrast agents remains worthwhile to get the best adequacy between the physiological phenomenon of interest and the pharmacokinetic of the agent.
authors.affiliation: ERT CNRS, Imagerie Moléculaire et Fonctionnelle, Université Victor Segalen-Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France. nicolas.grenier@chu-bordeaux.fr <nicolas.grenier@chu-bordeaux.fr>
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grenier
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hauger
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005682:Gadolinium; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000187:drug effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012079:Renal Circulation
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D005682:Gadolinium