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The safety of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

Journal Article · · Frontiers in Toxicology
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [5]
  1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies
  3. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
  4. Omphalos Bioscience, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  5. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States); New Mexico VA Healthcare System, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Research Service
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are increasingly used in clinical practice. While these pharmaceuticals are verified causal agents in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, there is a growing body of literature supporting their role as causal agents in symptoms associated with gadolinium exposure after intravenous use and encephalopathy following intrathecal administration. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are multidentate organic ligands that strongly bind the metal ion to reduce the toxicity of the metal. The notion that cationic gadolinium dissociates from these chelates and causes the disease is prevalent among patients and providers. We hypothesize that non-ligand-bound (soluble) gadolinium will be exceedingly low in patients. Soluble, ionic gadolinium is not likely to be the initial step in mediating any disease. The Kidney Institute of New Mexico was the first to identify gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in skin and kidney tissues from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in rodents. In 2023, they found similar nanoparticles in the kidney cells of humans with normal renal function, likely from contrast agents. We suspect these nanoparticles are the mediators of chronic toxicity from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. This article explores associations between gadolinium contrast and adverse health outcomes supported by clinical reports and rodent models.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
2429113
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2480455
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--24-30539
Journal Information:
Frontiers in Toxicology, Journal Name: Frontiers in Toxicology Vol. 6; ISSN 2673-3080
Publisher:
Frontiers Media S.A.Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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