A switch-on MRI contrast agent for noninvasive visualization of methylmercury

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Aug 4;51(60):12032-5. doi: 10.1039/c5cc01723h.

Abstract

This communication presents the first Gd(III)-based T1 MRI contrast agent, o-MeHgGad, for noninvasive visualization of CH3Hg(+). o-MeHgGad showed a relaxivity enhancement of 62% in the presence of 1 equiv. of CH3Hg(+). Moreover, a noticeable contrast enhancement was recorded in the liver, kidney, and intestine of mice exposed to CH3Hg(+). Thus, the newly designed contrast agent has the potential to be used for in vivo bio-imaging of CH3Hg(+) and could be useful for biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Animals
  • Contrast Media / chemistry*
  • Environmental Pollutants / administration & dosage
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Gadolinium / chemistry*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / chemistry
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Methylmercury Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Methylmercury Compounds / analysis*
  • Methylmercury Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neurotoxins / administration & dosage
  • Neurotoxins / analysis*
  • Neurotoxins / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Neurotoxins
  • Gadolinium