Utilization of Electron Probe Microanalysis in Gadolinium-Treated Mice

Gadolinium is used as a contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging and, experimentally, to block Kupffer cell phagocytosis. In this study, we utilize electron probe microanalysis to determine the subcellular localization of gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3) administered to mice in a short-term toxicology study. Male CD-1 mice were administered 0.0, 2.5, or 8.0 mg/kg GdCl3 iv for 14 consecutive weekdays. Liver-associated enzymes were significantly elevated in high-dose animals only and correlated histologically with multifocal, hepatocellular degeneration associated with a neutrophilic infiltrate. Morphological investigations were performed on high-dose animals. Hepatocytes and Kupffer cells had morphologic features of cellular injury consisting of swollen mitochondria and vesiculated profiles of endoplasmic reticulum. Hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, bile canaliculi, and neutrophils in the liver contained discrete aggregates of electron-dense granular material, as did pulmonary interstitial macrophages, splenic ...