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Abstract #1880

Tunable Manganese Porphyrin as Gd-Free T1 Contrast Agents for Broad Applications

Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng1, 2, Weiran Cheng3, 4, Inga E. Haedicke3, 4, Joris Tchouala Nofiele1, 2, Xiao-an Zhang3, 4

1Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 4Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


Gadolinium-based contrast agents are less efficient at high fields and are potentially toxic. Recently, the Zhang group developed a new class of T1 contrast agents based on the manganese porphyrin (MnP) structure with improved efficacy and safety. This study investigates MRI properties of two specific versions: a small polar MnP and a larger dimer. In-vitro measurements at 3 Tesla demonstrate high T1 relaxivities and a relatively weak T2 effect. Signal enhancement in rats is significantly greater compared to Gd-DTPA, and biodistribution is specific to each MnP. Potential applications are broad and include cardiac, liver, angiography, and perfusion and permeability imaging.