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The onset of rare earth metallosis begins with renal gadolinium-rich nanoparticles from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent exposure

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States); New Mexico Veterans Administration, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  3. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, CA (United States)
  4. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
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The leitmotifs of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent-induced complications range from acute kidney injury, symptoms associated with gadolinium exposure (SAGE)/gadolinium deposition disease, potentially fatal gadolinium encephalopathy, and irreversible systemic fibrosis. Gadolinium is the active ingredient of these contrast agents, a non-physiologic lanthanide metal. The mechanisms of MRI contrast agent-induced diseases are unknown. Mice were treated with a MRI contrast agent. Human kidney tissues from contrast-naïve and MRI contrast agent-treated patients were obtained and analyzed. Kidneys (human and mouse) were assessed with transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. MRI contrast agent treatment resulted in unilamellar vesicles and mitochondriopathy in renal epithelium. Electron-dense intracellular precipitates and the outer rim of lipid droplets were rich in gadolinium and phosphorus. We conclude that MRI contrast agents are not physiologically inert. The long-term safety of these synthetic metal–ligand complexes, especially with repeated use, should be studied further.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Dialysis Clinic, Inc; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC). Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES); University of New Mexico; Veterans Administration Merit Award
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1968163
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-21-26467
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
acute kidney injury
experimental models of disease
metals