Direct evidence of the temperature dependence of Gd-BOPTA transport in the intact rat liver

The aim was to study the influence of temperature on the transport of the hepatobiliary contrast agent Gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA). Rat livers were isolated and perfused with Gd-BOPTA at 12, 25, 30, 36 and 38 °C. After the perfusion period, biopsies were collected and the MR signal intensity was measured. Uptake and biliary excretion were quantified with radiolabeled Gd-BOPTA. MR signal intensity decreased with temperature of perfusion. This phenomenon was appropriately quantified with 153Gd and 153Sm labeling, in contrast to 67Ga.