Benefits and Detriments of Gadolinium from Medical Advances to Health and Ecological Risks

Abstract

Gadolinium (Gd)-containing chelates have been established as diagnostics tools. However, extensive use in magnetic resonance imaging has led to increased Gd levels in industrialized parts of the world, adding to natural occurrence and causing environmental and health concerns. A vast amount of data shows that metal may accumulate in the human body and its deposition has been detected in organs such as brain and liver. Moreover, the disease nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has been linked to increased Gd3+ levels. Investigation of Gd3+ effects at the cellular and molecular levels mostly revolves around calcium-dependent proteins, since Gd3+ competes with calcium due to their similar size; other reports focus on interaction of Gd3+ with nucleic acids and carbohydrates. However, little is known about Gd3+ effects on membranes; yet some results suggest that Gd3+ interacts strongly with biologically-relevant lipids (e.g., brain membrane constituents) and causes serious structural changes including enhanced membrane rigidity and propensity for lipid fusion and aggregation at much lower concentrations than other ions, both toxic and essential. This review surveys the impact of the anthropogenic use of Gd emphasizing health risks and discussing debilitating effects of Gd3+ on cell membrane organization that may lead to deleterious health consequences.

Augmented T1‐weighted steady state magnetic resonance imaging

“…Clinically, a strong T 1 contrast is crucial to many applications, especially those involving T 1 -shortening gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) administration, such as DCE tumor imaging. In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the potential long-term hazards of GBCAs, [25][26][27] especially with multiple GBCA administrations. 28,29 Extensive efforts have been made to reduce the dosage while maintaining diagnostic values, including using GBCA with stronger T 1 shortening effects, 30 adopting postprocessing strategies for virtual contrast enhancement, 31,32 or simply exploring the clinical equivalency of low dosage administration.…”

One-Step Preparation of Highly Stable Copper–Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles in Water Suitable for MRI Thermometry

“… 11 Gadolinium ions contained in chelates are well-established and safe agents used to contrast anatomical MR images. Although an increased level of Gd ions was recently linked with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, 12 , 13 the risk is rather low. 14 Micrometer size metallic gadolinium particles can be safe by coating them with inert metals such as gold.…”

Fabrication of Gd2O3/PSF Membranes via Aqueous Phase Inversion Method

“…In terms of its role in the pharmaceutical and food industry, the separation of Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is one of the most important proteins that require membranes with high permeability and selectivity [4]. Gadolinium (Gd), is a member of the lanthanide family of elements that is mostly employed in the medical field as contrast and anti-cancer agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and medication administration, as well as in the nuclear power industry [5,6]. Due to its excellent properties and characteristics, such as mechanical strength, chemical and structural stability, and thermal resistance, polysulfone (PSF) is preferred as a membrane polymer for use in purification [7].…”