Purpose
It is important to identify populations that may be vulnerable to the brain deposition of gadolinium (Gd) from MRI contrast agents. At intervals from 24 hours to 6 weeks following injection of a linear Gd contrast agent, the brain, blood and bone content of Gd were compared between control rats and those with experimental endotoxinâinduced sepsis that results in neuroinflammation and bloodâbrain barrier disruption.
Methods
Male rats were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. Control animals received no injection. Twentyâfour hours later, 0.2 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine was injected intravenously. Brain, blood, and bone Gd levels were measured at 24 hours, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy.
Results
Blood Gd decreased rapidly between 24 hours and 1 week, and thereafter was undetectable, with no significant difference between lipopolysaccharide and control rats. Brain levels of Gd were significantly higher (4.29â2.36âfold) and bone levels slightly higher (1.35â1.11âfold) in lipopolysaccharide than control rats at all time points with significant retention at 6 weeks.
Conclusion
Experimental sepsis results in significantly higher deposition of Gd in the brain and bone in rats. While blood Gd clears rapidly, brain and bone retained substantial Gd even at 6 weeks following contrast injection.