title: Effects of the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent Gd-DTPA on plant growth and root imaging in rice.
abstract: Although paramagnetic contrast agents have a wide range of applications in medical studies involving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these agents are seldom used to enhance MRI images of plant root systems. To extend the application of MRI contrast agents to plant research and to develop related techniques to study root systems, we examined the applicability of the MRI contrast agent Gd-DTPA to the imaging of rice roots. Specifically, we examined the biological effects of various concentrations of Gd-DTPA on rice growth and MRI images. Analysis of electrical conductivity and plant height demonstrated that 5 mmol Gd-DTPA had little impact on rice in the short-term. The results of signal intensity and spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) analysis suggested that 5 mmol Gd-DTPA was the appropriate concentration for enhancing MRI signals. In addition, examination of the long-term effects of Gd-DTPA on plant height showed that levels of this compound up to 5 mmol had little impact on rice growth and (to some extent) increased the biomass of rice.
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Junchao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Binmei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of ion beam bioengineering, Institute of Technical Biology and Agriculture Engineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yuejin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000032:analysis; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D012275:Oryza / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D063245:Plant Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003470:Culture Media; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA