Use of gadoxetate disodium for functional MRI imaging based on its unique molecular mechanism.

Br J Radiol. 2015 Dec 23;:20150666

Authors: Choi YS, Huh J, Woo DC, Kim KW

Abstract
Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl dimeglumine (gadoxetate) is a recently developed hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast medium. Gadoxetate demonstrates unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, because its uptake in hepatocytes occurs via the organic anion transporter (OATP) expressed at the sinusoidal membrane, and its biliary excretion via the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) at the canalicular membrane. Based on these characteristics, gadoxetate-enhanced MRI can provide functional information on hepatobiliary diseases, including liver function estimation, biliary drainage evaluation, and characterization of hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, understanding its mode of action can provide an opportunity to use gadoxetate for cellular and molecular imaging. Radiologists and imaging scientists should be familiar with the basic mechanism of gadoxetate and OATP/MRP transporters.

PMID: 26693795 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]