Properties Evaluation of Gd₂O₃-DEG as New Contrast Agent Nanomagnetic Particles Comparing to Gd-DTPA in MRI

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for imaging purposes. However, the sensitivity and intrinsic contrast of the MRI is low. In order to improve the quality of images Gd-DTPA (commercial Magnevist) is normally. Be-cause of some limitations of low molecular weight of gadolini-um chelates, nanoparticles gadolinium based contrast agents are proposed. In this study, we synthesized Gd-DTPA and compared its effects with Gd₂O₃-DEG nanoparticles. The samples were prepared at concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mM respectively by adding 1.5 ml deionized water. The corresponding Gd₂O₃-DEG nanoparticles diameter was meas-ured about 80 nm. An in vitro study was performed using a 1.5 T scanner with standard spin echo protocol. Clearly, the signal amplitudes in both cases were increased with the Gd concen-tration at constant relaxation time. Also, a linear relation between signal intensity and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) was observed with a correlation coefficient close to 1. The values of 4.30 and 14.27 (s^− 1.mM^− 1) were achieved for Gd-DTPA and Gd₂O₃-DEG nanoparticles special relaxivity, re-spectively.