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Gadoteric Acid and Gadolinium: Exploring Short- and Long-Term Effects on Healthy Animals.
Susana Coimbra1,2, Susana Rocha1, Sofia D Viana3,4,5,6
1UCIBIO i4HB, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Journal of Xenobiotics
|March 24, 2025
Summary
Single exposure to gadolinium (Gd (III))-based contrast agents like gadoteric acid (DOTA) causes short-term effects on metabolism and kidney injury in animal models. Long-term effects were less severe, especially for DOTA.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gadolinium (Gd (III))-based contrast agents are widely used in medical imaging.
- Understanding the safety profile of these agents, including free Gd (III) and gadoteric acid (DOTA), is crucial.
- Assessing both short- and long-term effects after exposure is necessary for comprehensive safety evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short- and long-term toxicological effects of single-dose exposure to gadolinium (Gd (III)) and gadoteric acid (DOTA) in animal models.
- To analyze a range of biomarkers including kidney injury, inflammation, iron metabolism, dyslipidemia, and hepatic and hematologic disturbances.
- To perform kidney histopathological and differential gene expression (DGE) analyses to understand molecular-level impacts.
Main Methods:
- Animal models were used to assess the effects of single-dose exposure to Gd (III) and DOTA.
- Biomarkers for kidney injury, inflammation, lipid and iron metabolism, hepatic function, and hematology were measured.
- Kidney histopathology and differential gene expression (DGE) analyses were conducted for both short-term and long-term studies.
Main Results:
- Short-term exposure to Gd (III) resulted in increased inflammation, altered lipid, iron, and hepatic metabolisms, hematological changes, and kidney damage.
- Short-term exposure to DOTA showed alterations in hematological, lipid, and hepatic biomarkers.
- Long-term exposure to both Gd (III) and DOTA exhibited fewer changes compared to short-term exposure, with distinct DGE patterns and fewer differentially expressed genes observed in the kidneys.
Conclusions:
- A single exposure to Gd (III) and DOTA induces notable short-term physiological and metabolic changes in animal models.
- These changes tend to normalize over time or persist with reduced severity, particularly for DOTA.
- The findings highlight the differential short- and long-term safety profiles of gadolinium-based contrast agents.
