Original Paper

Gd(ABE-DTTA), a Novel Contrast Agent, at the MRI-Effective Dose Shows Absence of Deleterious Physiological Effects in Dogs
Balázs Ruzsics^a, Pál Surányi^{a, d}, Pál Kiss^{a, d}, Brigitta C. Brott^b, Ada Elgavish^{c, d}, Nada H. Saab-Ismail^d, Tamás Simor^{a, d}, Gabriel A. Elgavish<sup>a, b, d

a</sup>Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics,
^bDepartment of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease,
^cDepartment of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and
^dElgavish Paramagnetics Inc., Birmingham, Ala., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Pharmacology 2006;77:188-194 (DOI: 10.1159/000094864)

  Key Words

• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Gadolinium-based contrast agent
• Ischemic heart disease

  Abstract

The physiological effects of a novel MRI contrast agent, Gd(ABE-DTTA), were investigated in dogs, monitoring parameters in blood samples. Each animal (n = 8 in the short-term, n = 4 in the long-term group) underwent isoflurane anesthesia followed by the generation of myocardial infarction and received a contrast agent at the MRI effective dose. Blood samples were collected 24 and 48 h, and 7, 14, 28, 35, 49 and 56 days after contrast agent administration. No significant changes exceeding the normal range were detected in any of the investigated parameters except in alanine aminotransferase (ALT). ALT enzyme activity increased in the short-term group 24 and 48 h after agent administration as expected from the effect of isoflurane anesthesia. Between days 7 and 56 no elevation in ALT was observed. In dogs no substantial short- or long-term effect was observed on the investigated, physiological parameters after Gd(ABE-DTTA) administration at the MRI effective dose.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Gabriel A. Elgavish, PhD
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics University of Alabama at Birmingham, Room MCLM 556
Birmingham, AL 35294-0005 (USA)
Tel. +1 205 934 0294, Fax +1 205 934 0031, E-Mail gabi@uab.edu

  Article Information

Supported by NIH grants R44 HL58285 to P.S. and RO1 HL63340 to G.A.E. The authors affiliated with Elgavish Paramagnetics Inc. were either employees, officers or consultants of this company at the time the study was conducted.

Received: February 1, 2006
Accepted after revision: May 8, 2006
Published online: July 27, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 25