J Korean Radiol Soc.  1996 Dec;35(6):837-846.

Blood Brain Barrier and Brain Tissue Injury by Gd-DTPA in Uremia-induced Rabbits

• Choi SS
• Lee YC
• Kim KS
• Eun CG
• Yang YI
• Huh KY
• Han JY

Abstract

PURPOSE
An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the morphological changes in the blood brain barrier and neighbouring brain tissue caused by Gd-DTPA in uremia-induced rabbits.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Bilateral renal arteries and veins of ten rabbits were ligated. Gd-DTPA(0.2 mmol/kg) was intravenously injectedinto seven rabbits immediately after ligation. After MRI, they were sacrificed 2 or 3 days after ligation in orderto observe light and electron microscopic changes in the blood brain barrier and brain tissue.
RESULTS
MRIfindings were normal, except for enhancement of the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses on T1 weighted imagesin uremia-induced rabbits injected with Gd-DTPA. On light microscopic examination, these rabbits showed perivascular edema and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression ; electron microscopic examination showed separation of tight junctions of endothelial cells, duplication/rarefaction of basal lamina, increased lysosomes of neurons with neuronal death, demyelination of myelin, and extravasation of red blood cells. Uremia-induced rabbits injected with Gd-DTPA showed more severe changes than those without Gd-DTPA injection.
CONCLUSION
Injuries to the blood brain barrier and neighbouring brain tissue were aggravated by Gd-DTPA administration inuremia-induced rabbits. These findings appear to be associated with the neurotoxicity of Gd-DTPA.

Keyword

Animals; Contrast media, toxioity; Brain injuries; Gadotinium

MeSH Terms

Animals
Basement Membrane
Blood-Brain Barrier*
Brain Injuries
Brain*
Demyelinating Diseases
Edema
Endothelial Cells
Erythrocytes
Gadolinium DTPA*
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Ligation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Myelin Sheath
Neurons
Rabbits*
Renal Artery
Tight Junctions
Veins
Gadolinium DTPA
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein