Gadolinium-based contrast agents
are widely used in magnetic resonance
imaging procedures to enhance image contrast. Despite their ubiquitous
use in clinical settings, gadolinium is not an innocuous element,
as suggested by several disorders associated with its use. Therefore,
novel analytical technologies capable of tracking contrast agent excretion
through urine are necessary for optimizing patient safety after imaging
procedures. Here, we describe an assay to detect and quantify contrast
agents in urine based on the luminescence quenching of a metal chelate
probe, Eu3+–3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), which only requires
10 min incubation before measurement. Gadolinium-based contrast agents
prevent the formation of the Eu3+–3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO)
complex, subsequently decreasing the luminescence of the assay solution.
Three commercial contrast agents, Magnevist, Multihance, and Omniscan,
were used to demonstrate the analytical concept in synthetic human
urine, and subsequent quantification of mouse urine samples. To the
best of our knowledge, this is the first assay capable of detecting
and quantifying gadolinium-based contrast agents in urine without
sample preparation or digestion.