The tissue proton T1 and T2 response to gadolinium DTPA injection in rabbits. A potential renal contrast agent for NMR imaging.

Three different doses of gadolinium (Gd) DTPA were administered intravenously to rabbits. Cardiovascular responses and changes in blood T1 and T2 were serially followed for 15 minutes when the animals were sacrificed for in vitro measures of tissue T1 and T2. Gd-DTPA was distributed and excreted like water soluble iodinated contrast agents with large changes in blood, urine, and kidney proton relaxation. An imaging experiment confirmed the efficacy as an NMR contrast agent for renal excretion. At effective doses, no adverse effects were observed and the agent appeared to be much safer than x-ray contrast agents, but with a similar potential for clinical utility.