• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.205-208
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• 2004

The two major classes of magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents are paramagnetic contrast agents, usually based on chelates of gadolinium generating T1 positive signal enhancement, and super-paramagnetic contrast agents that use mono- or polycrystalline iron oxide to generate strong T2 negative contrast in MR images. These paramagnetic or super-paramagnetic complexes are used to develop new contrast agents that can target the specific molecular marker of the cells or tan be activated to report on the physiological status or metabolic activity of biological systems. In molecular imaging science, MR imaging has emerged as a leading technique because it provides high-resolution three-dimension maps of the living subject. The future of molecular MR imaging is promising as advancements in hardware, contrast agents, and image acquisition methods coalesce to bring high resolution in vivo imaging to the biochemical sciences and to patient care.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

We discuss recent advances in Gd-based $T_1$-weighted MR contrast agents for the mapping of cellular pH. The pH plays a critical role in various biological processes. During the past two decades, several MR contrast agents of strategic importance for pH-mapping have been developed. Some of these agents shed light on the pH fluctuation in the tumor microenvironment. A pH-responsive self-assembled contrast agent facilitates the visualization of tumor size as small as $3mm^3$. Optimization of various parameters is crucial for the development of pH-responsive contrast agents. In due course, the new contrast agents may provide significant insight into pH fluctuations in the human body.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2010

The water proton relaxation rates increase linearly with concentrations of contrast agents, and could be expressed as a function of the concentrations. In this paper, we have investigated MR properties of two different contrast agents, $GdCl_3$ and $CoCl_2$. Relaxivity coefficients were calculated from individual contrast agent solutions, and used for predicting relaxation rates at mixtures of two contrast agents. From the experimental results, we have discussed the feasibility of constructing water solutions with the desired relaxation times using specific mixtures of contrast agents.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2021

Since the side effects of contrast agents occur in many ways, hospitals must clearly identify the contrast agents and know how to manage them. Storage of contrast media It is common practice to store contrast media in a warm room to reduce viscosity and improve patient comfort. However, it is important to recognize that long-term storage at high temperatures can shorten the shelf life of a product. Therefore, in this study, the presence or absence of chemical changes according to the storage period after using the contrast medium was analyzed. As the analysis equipment, a 500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer of Bruker Avance (Germany) possessed by Korea Basic Science Institute (KOREA BASIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE; KBSI) was used. For the X-ray iodide contrast medium, Pamiray contrast medium of Iopamidol and Optiray contrast medium of Ioversol, samples remaining after 7 days, 20 days, 30 days, and 1 year were collected, By acquiring the spectrum from the 1H-NMR spectrometer of the contrast medium stimulated by It was compared and analyzed with the standard sample. In conclusion, depending on the storage period of the contrast medium, no peaks of physical and chemical changes were observed in both the Pamiray contrast medium of Iopamidol and the Optiray contrast medium of Ioversol after 7 days, 20 days, 30 days, and 1 year after use.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Objective: To investigate molecular and functional consequences of additional exposures to iodine- or gadolinium-based contrast agents within 24 hours from the initial intravenous administration of iodine-based contrast agents through an animal study. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were equally divided into eight groups: negative control, positive control (PC) with single-dose administration of CT contrast agent, and additional administration of either CT or MR contrast agents 2, 4, or 24 hours from initial CT contrast agent injection. A 12 µL/g of iodinated contrast agent or a 0.47 µL/g of gadolinium-based contrast agent were injected into the tail vein. Serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C (Cys C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. mRNA and protein levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were evaluated. Results: Levels of serum creatinine (SCr) were significantly higher in repeated CT contrast agent injection groups than in PC (0.21 ± 0.02 mg/dL for PC; 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.03, and 0.41 ± 0.10 mg/dL for 2-, 4-, and 24-hour interval groups, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the average Cys C and MDA levels between PC and repeated CT contrast agent injection groups (Cys C, P = 0.256-0.362; MDA, P > 0.99). Additional doses of MR contrast agent did not make significant changes compared to PC in SCr (P > 0.99), Cys C (P = 0.262), and MDA (P = 0.139-0.771) levels. mRNA and protein levels of KIM-1 and NGAL were not significantly different among additional CT or MR contrast agent groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A sufficient time interval, probably more than 24 hours, between repeated contrast-enhanced CT examinations may be necessary to avoid deterioration in renal function. However, conducting contrast-enhanced MRI on the same day as contrast-enhanced CT may not induce clinically significant kidney injury.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

Purpose: 99mTc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) is an important and clinically useful diagnostic imaging study for detecting complications after liver transplantation. CT contrast agents due to their high atomic numbers, lead to a decrease in gamma ray count rates. This study investigated the impact of CT contrast agents on the uptake of 99mTc-mebrofenin in the liver. Materials and Methods: The quantitative HBS was performed on sixty-two liver transplantation patients (male:female=36:26), with a mean age of 59.4±6.4 years. Statistical comparison of hepatic uptake reduction ratio (HURR%) before and after the injection of CT contrast agents was performed using a paired t-test. Results: Hepatic uptake of the reduction ratio was 94.47±3.65% for the pre-CT contrast agents and 92.17±4.00% for the post-CT contrast agents. HURR% after CT contrast agent injection showed a statistically significant difference compared to before the injection (t=11.09, P<0.001). Conclusion: It will be necessary to pay attention when examining the HBS of patients with liver transplantation after the injection of CT contrast medium. It is advisable to schedule the examination on a different day to prevent residual contrast medium in the body from interfering with the quantitative evaluation of the nuclear medicine examination.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2012

Performance of coronary angiography for exact diagnosis and treatments of cardiovascular disease have been increased recently and it also brings increase of the contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) referred from increasing use of radiological contrast agents. The variation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is an indicator of CIN, which is known to increase when renal function is decreased. Therefore, this study was to evaluate the affecting factors including concomitant drug on variation of eGFR of patients who underwent coronary angiography according to the conditions of renal function. Medical records of 66 patients were evaluated retrospectively and the patients underwent coronary angiography or angioplasty with nonionic and isotonic contrast media (iodixanol) at Chungnam national university hospital from 1 Jan 2008 to 30 Jul 2010. Patients group was divided into 2 groups; the patients in stages 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the patients in stage 2 CKD. Each group was researched about the effect of concomitant drug and clinical characteristics on eGFR variation. The change of eGFR was compared among baseline and 2 or 3 day after coronary angiography. In results, the eGFR variation in group over age 75 was significantly decreased after radiological contrast agents exposure (p $$\leq_-$$ 0.05). The eGFR variation in anemia was significantly decreased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stage 2 CKD (p > 0.05). The eGFR variation in group under $HbA_{1c}$ 6.5% was significantly decreased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stages 3-4 CKD (p $$\leq_-$$ 0.05). The eGFR variation by taking statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin was increased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stage 2 CKD (p $$\leq_-$$ 0.05). The eGFR variation by using of diuretics was significantly decreased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stages 3-4 CKD (p $$\leq_-$$ 0.05). The eGFR variation by taking statins, nitroglylcerin was increased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stages 3-4 CKD(p > 0.05). The eGFR variation in group over contrast dosage 150 ml was significantly decreased after radiological contrast agents exposure in stages 3-4 CKD (p $$\leq_-$$ 0.05). Therefore, when undergoing coronary angiography, contrast dosage should be minimized less than 150 ml, and diuretics should be restricted as possible in stages 3-4 CKD. Patients over age 75 require special attention to prevent CIN, and if patients undergo coronary angiography in stages 3-4 CKD, $HbA_{1c}$ is also requried to maintain below 6.5% to prevent CIN.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

Ultrasound imaging in clinical practice is one of the widely used diagnostic methods because there is no radiation risk, more cost- effective compared to MRI or CT, and possible to perform an intervention through fast real-time imaging. In order to increase the diagnostic value, the studies of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using an ultrasound contrast agent have been actively conducted since about 50 years ago and are being used clinically in vascularity and microcirculation of internal organs. Although ultrasound is actively used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in musculoskeletal disorders, there are some limitations in diagnosing mild or small lesions, inflammatory reactions, or abnormalities at the molecular level. In this review, the principles, types, and research, and clinical applications of ultrasound contrast agents have been summarized and introduced. If we understand the characteristics of the ultrasound contrast agents and anatomical knowledge, as well as molecular changes, the ultrasound contrast agents are widely applied in musculoskeletal disorders and have tremendous potential for diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2021

Studies on the side effects of contrast agents are being discussed based on various cases, but studies analyzing the chemical structure of the underlying contrast agents are difficult to understand as the manufacturers have not disclosed them. Therefore, in this study, the chemical structure of the contrast medium was analyzed using ¹H-NMR spectrometer for Omnipaque contrast medium prepared from Iohexol, which is a nonionic iodide contrast medium, Xenetix contrast medium from Iobitridol, and Iomeron contrast medium from Iomeprol. As a result, it was found that the Omnipaque contrast medium of Iohexol had 6 carboxyl groups, 3 carbonyl groups, 4 amine groups, 1 methyl group, and 2 cyano groups. It was found that the Xenetix contrast medium of the iobitridol formulation had 6 carboxyl groups, 3 carbonyl groups, 2 amine groups, and 4 cyano groups. It was found that the Iomeron contrast agent of the Iomeprol formulation had 5 carboxyl groups, 3 carbonyl groups, 4 amine groups, 1 methyl group, and 2 cyano groups. As shown in this study, the chemical structure of the non-ionic monomer contrast agent increases its affinity with water by binding a number of hydroxyl groups (OH) to the carboxyl group. It is necessary to accurately identify each of these factors and analyze the physical and chemical changes of the contrast medium according to various environmental factors.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2020

In this study, the P contrast agent of Iopamidol, which is a nonionic iodide contrast agent most commonly used as a vascular contrast agent in medical institutions, and the O contrast agent of Ioversol, were studied. The physicochemical changes according to the temperature change were compared and analyzed using the Bruker Avance 500MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer owned by the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI). There was no physical or chemical change in the O contrast medium of Ioversol formulation in temperature change. However, in the P contrast agent of Iopamidol, a doublet peak began to appear in the 1.1 ppm region of the sample at 60℃, and the doublet peak was clearly observed in the sample at 80℃. As a result of this study, 1H-NMR analysis revealed that the P contrast agent of the Iopamidol formulation was dissociated from chemical bonds as it rose to a high temperature of 60℃ or higher, resulting in the formation of foreign substances. It was evaluated that the O contrast agent of Ioversol formulation had physico-chemical stability than the P contrast agent of Iopamidol formulation. As shown in this study, it is necessary to analyze the physical and chemical changes of contrast agents according to various environmental factors.