In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerotic lesions with a newly developed Evans blue-DTPA-gadolinium contrast medium in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that specifically detect atherosclerotic plaque may be useful for the noninvasive detection of the plaque. We have recently developed a new contrast agent, Evans blue-DTPA-gadolinium (EB-DTPA-Gd), which selectively accumulates vascular lesions with endothelial removal. In this study, we examined whether EB-DTPA-Gd is also useful for in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODS:

We used male apolipoprotein-E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice of different ages (3, 6 and 12 months old) and age-matched male wild-type mice. After a single intravenous administration of EB-DTPA-Gd (160 microM/kg body weight), MRI T(1) signal was obtained in vivo.

RESULTS:

Increased signal intensity in the aortic wall was noted within 10-20 min after intravenous injection of EB-DTPA-Gd and was maintained for 30 min. The MRI enhancement in the aorta of ApoE-/- mice was increased in accordance with age, whereas no such enhancement was noted in wild-type mice. Histological examination demonstrated that there was a topological correlation between the site of MRI enhancement and that of atherosclerotic plaque.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that EB-DTPA-Gd is a useful MRI contrast medium for the in vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaques.

• Authors: Satoshi Yasuda, Kenjiro Ikuta, Toyokazu Uwatoku, Keiji Oi, Kohtaro Abe, Fuminori Hyodo, Kengo Yoshimitsu, Kohtaro Sugimura, Hideo Utsumi, Yoshiki Katayama, Hiroaki Shimokawa
• Journal: Journal of vascular research (J Vasc Res) Vol. 45 Issue 2 Pg. 123-8 ( 2008) ISSN: 1423-0135 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 17940339 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Apolipoproteins E
• Contrast Media
• Evans blue-DTPA-gadolinium
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pentetic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Aorta (metabolism, pathology)
• Apolipoproteins E (deficiency, genetics, metabolism)
• Atherosclerosis (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Contrast Media (administration & dosage)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Injections, Intravenous
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (methods)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Knockout
• Organometallic Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Pentetic Acid (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Time Factors