Effects of chemical forms of gadolinium on the spleen in mice after single intravenous administration.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are widely used to improve tissue contrast during magnetic resonance imaging. Exposure to GBCAs can result in gadolinium deposition within human tissues and has become a clinical concern because of the potential toxic effects of free gadolinium (Gd). Here, we report the impact of a single administration of GBCAs (Omniscan and Gadovist), and Gd on mouse tissues. Five-week-old male BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with GBCAs or Gd. Seven days after injection, relatively high levels of gadolinium were detected in the spleen (118.87 nmol/g tissue), liver (83.00 nmol/g tissue), skin (48.56 nmol/g tissue), and kidneys (25.59 nmol/g tissue) of the Gd(NO) (high dose: 0.165 mmol/kg) group; in the bones (11.12 nmol/g tissue), kidneys (7.49 nmol/g tissue), teeth (teeth: 6.18 nmol/g tissue), and skin (2.43 nmol/g tissue) of the Omniscan (high dose: 1.654 mmol/kg) group and in the kidneys (16.36 nmol/g tissue) and skin (4.88 nmol/g tissue) of the Gadovist (high dose: 3.308 mmol/kg) group. Enlargement of the spleen was observed in the Gd group ( < 0.05), but not in the Omniscan or Gadovist groups. Gd caused iron accumulation around the white pulp of the spleen, suggesting that enlargement of the spleen is, at least in part, associated with Gd and/or iron accumulation. Our results may help elucidate the relative risks of different types of gadolinium agents, the mechanisms involved, and even recognition of potential toxic effects of GBCAs.