Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Iron Sucrose as MRI Contrast Agent in Ischemic Stroke Model
Shiman Wu1, Hua Zhang2, Jing Wang1
1Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Despite the growing concern about the safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), they are still the most commonly used. Ferumoxytol, as an off-label alternative MRI contrast agent, cannot be administered by a rapid bolus for dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI).
Purpose:
To assess the feasibility of iron sucrose (IS) as a contrast agent for MR angiography (MRA) and DSC-PWI.
Study Type:
Prospective animal model.
Animal Model:
Thirty-six normal rats (16 for MRA, 20 for biocompability tests) and 36 occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) model rats.
Field Strength/Sequence:
3.0T; head and neck angiography, using a fast spoiled gradient-recalled-echo (FSPGR) sequence and DSC-MRI using echo planar imaging(EPI) sequence.
Assessment:
MRA was performed on normal rats to examine the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of different doses of IS. DSC-PWI was performed on MCAO rats at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours postreperfusion to investigate the lesion detectability of IS. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and DSC-PWI enhanced by GBCAs were conducted on MCAO rats as controls.
Statistical Tests:
Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare qualitative assessment. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the parametric data. Pearson's r values were evaluated between relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF)-ASL, rCBF-DSCIS , and rCBF obtained from DSC-PWI enhanced by GBCA.
Results:
The mean SNR and CNR of the common carotid artery at doses of 10 mg Fe/kg of IS were comparable with the standard dose of GBCAs (SNR: 68.04 ± 12.55 vs. 67.72 ± 14.66; CNR: 23.78 ± 7.21vs. 21.63 ± 6.83). In MCAO rat models, rCBF and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) of ipsilateral striatum declined (0.72 ± 0.14, 0.86 ± 0.11) with prolonged relative mean transit time (rMTT) and relative time-to-peak (rTTP) (1.27 ± 0.24, 1.07 ± 0.03) following occlusion. Hyperperfusion was observed in all rats at 48 and 72 hours postreperfusion, in 4/6 rats at 24 hours postreperfusion for IS-mediated DSC-PWI.
Data Conclusion:
IS may be an effective contrast agent for both MRA and DSC-PWI in ischemic stroke models.
Level Of Evidence:
1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:836-849.
Insights
Iron sucrose (IS) shows promise as an MRI contrast agent for MR angiography and perfusion imaging in stroke models. This study found IS comparable to gadolinium-based contrast agents in rats, suggesting its potential clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Growing safety concerns surround gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs).
- Ferumoxytol, an alternative, has limitations for dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate iron sucrose (IS) as a contrast agent for MR angiography (MRA) and DSC-PWI.
- To assess IS feasibility in an ischemic stroke model.
Main Methods:
- Prospective animal study using rat models (n=72).
- MR angiography (MRA) and DSC-PWI performed at 3.0T.
- Comparison with arterial spin labeling (ASL) and GBCA-enhanced DSC-PWI.
Main Results:
- Iron sucrose (IS) demonstrated comparable signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios to GBCAs in MRA.
- IS-enhanced DSC-PWI effectively detected perfusion changes in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat models.
- Hyperperfusion was observed postreperfusion in MCAO rats using IS-mediated DSC-PWI.
Conclusions:
- Iron sucrose (IS) is a feasible and effective contrast agent for both MRA and DSC-PWI.
- IS presents a potential alternative to GBCAs in neuroimaging, particularly for stroke assessment.
