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Magma (New York, N.Y.)2019; 33(2); 299-307; doi: 10.1007/s10334-019-00781-z

An MRI study of solute transport in the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine partition coefficients and characteristic time constants for diffusion of MRI contrast agents in disc tissue. Methods: Twenty-two excised equine intervertebral discs were exposed to a range of contrast agents: six to manganese chloride, eight to Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine) and eight to Gadovist (gadobutrol), and uptake into the disc was quantified in T-weighted images. Results: Diffusion for all contrast agents was approximately 25% faster in the nucleus than in the outer annulus; disc-average time constants ranged from (2.28 ± 0.23) × 10 s for Gadovist (uncharged, molecular mass 605 g/mol) to (5.07 ± 0.75) × 10 s for the manganese cation (charge + 2). Disc-average partition coefficients ranged from 0.77 ± 0.04 for the anion in Magnevist (charge - 2, molecular mass 548 g/mol) to 5.14 ± 0.43 for the manganese cation. Conclusions: The MRI technique provides high-quality quantitative data which correspond well to theoretical predictions, allowing values for partition coefficient and time constant to be readily determined. These measurements provide information to underpin similar studies in vivo and may be used as a model for the transport of nutrients and pharmaceutical agents in the disc.
Publication Date: 2019-10-04 PubMed ID: 31586265PubMed Central: PMC7109185DOI: 10.1007/s10334-019-00781-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research study employed quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to ascertain the speed and partition coefficients of several MRI contrast agents’ diffusion across disc tissues. The analysis found that diffusion occurred about 25% faster in the nucleus than in the outer annulus, and the resulting data could serve as a useful model for understanding the transport of nutrients and pharmaceutical agents.

Methods

  • The study used 22 equine intervertebral discs, exposing each of them to different MRI contrast agents: manganese chloride, Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), and Gadovist (gadobutrol).
  • The discs’ uptake of each contrast agent was quantified using T-weighted images. These are a type of MRI scan that are particularly useful for identifying differences in water content and blood flow.

Results

  • The results showed that diffusion of all contrast agents was approximately 25% faster in the nucleus than in the outer annulus. The nucleus is the inner part of an intervertebral disc, while the outer annulus is the tough exterior layer that encapsulates it.
  • The study also found varied disc-average time constants for each contrast agent, ranging from (2.28 ± 0.23) × 10 s for Gadovist (an uncharged contrast agent with a molecular mass of 605 g/mol) to (5.07 ± 0.75) × 10 s for the manganese cation (a contrast agent with a +2 charge).
  • In terms of partition coefficients, they ranged from 0.77 ± 0.04 for the anion in Magnevist (with a -2 charge and molecular mass of 548 g/mol) to 5.14 ± 0.43 for the manganese cation. The partition coefficient represents the concentration of a compound in one phase of a mixture of two immiscible phases at equilibrium.

Conclusions

  • The data obtained from the MRI technique matched well with theoretical expectations, enabling easy determination of partition coefficient and time constant values.
  • These measurements could guide similar in vivo studies and potentially provide a model for the transport of nutrients and drugs in intervertebral discs.

Cite This Article

APA
Palfrey RM, Summers IR, Winlove CP. (2019). An MRI study of solute transport in the intervertebral disc. MAGMA, 33(2), 299-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-019-00781-z

Publication

ISSN: 1352-8661
NlmUniqueID: 9310752
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 299-307

Researcher Affiliations

Palfrey, Rachel M
  • Medical Imaging, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
Summers, Ian R
  • Medical Imaging, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK. i.r.summers@exeter.ac.uk.
  • Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QL, UK. i.r.summers@exeter.ac.uk.
Winlove, C Peter
  • Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QL, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorides / chemistry
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Diffusion
  • Gadolinium DTPA / pharmacokinetics
  • Horses
  • Intervertebral Disc / anatomy & histology
  • Intervertebral Disc / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Manganese Compounds / chemistry
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics

Grant Funding

  • DTA studentship / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • 007 / Devon Arthritis and Allied Research Trust

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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