Effect of magnetic resonance exposure combined with gadopentetate dimeglumine on chromosomes in animal specimens

Abstract

We tested for the presence of a form of unstable chromosomal damage--anaphase bridges--that might result from the combined exposure to gadopentetate dimeglumine and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in rats. Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats, along with appropriate controls, were exposed either to MR imaging alone, gadopentetate dimeglumine alone, or a combination of the two. After exposure, partial hepatectomies were performed to induce a vigorous mitotic response in the regenerating liver stump. Twenty-eight to 30 hr after partial hepatectomy, tissue specimens from regenerating liver were removed and analyzed microscopically for the presence of anaphase bridges. No anaphase bridges were detected in any of the animals, including those exposed to gadopentetate dimeglumine and MR imaging. Using anaphase bridge formation as an indicator, exposure to MR imaging alone, gadopentetate dimeglumine alone, or a combination of the two under the conditions used in this experiment did not cause detectable unstable chromosomal damage.