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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Impact of Impaired Renal Function on Gadolinium Retention After Administration of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in
A Adhipatria P Kartamihardja1, Takahito Nakajima, Satomi Kameo
1From the *Department of Radiology Diagnostic and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan; †Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Universitas Padjajaran, Bandung, Indonesia; ‡Department of Public Health, Gunma University and §Gunma University Initiative for Advance Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of impaired renal function on gadolinium (Gd) retention in various organs after Gd-based contrast agent injection.
Materials And Methods:
After local animal care and review committee approval, 23 normal mice and 26 with renal failure were divided into 4 treatment groups (Gd-DTPA-BMA, 5 mmol/kg; Gd-DOTA, 5 mmol/kg; GdCl3, 0.02 mmol/kg; and saline, 250 μL). Each agent was intravenously administered on weekdays for 4 weeks. Samples were collected on days 3 (short-term) and 45 (long-term) after the last injection. Gadolinium concentrations were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
Results:
Three mice with renal failure and 2 normal mice in the GdCl3 group and 1 mouse with renal failure in the Gd-DTPA-BMA group died. In the Gd-DTPA-BMA group, impaired renal function increased short-term Gd retention in the liver, bone, spleen, skin, and kidney (P < 0.01) but did not affect long-term Gd retention. Gd-DTPA-BMA showed higher Gd retention than Gd-DOTA. Although Gd retention in the Gd-DOTA group was generally low, impaired renal function increased only long-term hepatic Gd retention. Hepatic and splenic Gd retentions were significantly higher than other organs' Gd retention in the GdCl3 group (P < 0.01). Renal function did not affect brain Gd retention, regardless of the Gd compound used.
Conclusions:
The tendency of Gd retention varied according to the agent, regardless of renal function. Although renal impairment increased short-term Gd retention after Gd-DTPA-BMA administration, long-term Gd retention for Gd-based contrast agents was almost unaffected by renal function, suggesting that the chemical structures of retained Gd may not be consistent and some Gd is slowly eliminated after initially being retained.
Insights
Impaired renal function increases short-term gadolinium retention after Gd-DTPA-BMA contrast agent injection. However, long-term gadolinium retention is largely unaffected by kidney function, regardless of the agent used.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Imaging
- Nephrology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are widely used in medical imaging.
- Concerns exist regarding gadolinium retention in the body, particularly in patients with impaired renal function.
- Understanding the long-term fate of gadolinium is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of impaired renal function on gadolinium retention in various organs.
- To compare gadolinium retention patterns among different GBCA formulations.
- To assess short-term and long-term gadolinium accumulation following repeated administration.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model with induced renal failure was used, alongside normal controls.
- Animals received intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA-BMA, Gd-DOTA, or GdCl3 over four weeks.
- Gadolinium concentrations in organs were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry at short-term (day 3) and long-term (day 45) intervals post-injection.
Main Results:
- Impaired renal function significantly increased short-term retention of Gd-DTPA-BMA in liver, bone, spleen, skin, and kidneys.
- Gd-DTPA-BMA demonstrated higher retention than Gd-DOTA.
- Long-term gadolinium retention was generally not affected by renal function, except for a slight increase in hepatic retention with Gd-DOTA in renally impaired mice.
- Brain gadolinium retention was unaffected by renal function for any agent.
Conclusions:
- Short-term gadolinium retention is influenced by renal function, particularly with Gd-DTPA-BMA.
- Long-term gadolinium retention appears largely independent of renal status, suggesting potential slow elimination or transformation of retained gadolinium.
- GBCA chemical structure influences retention patterns, irrespective of renal function.
