Lipid soluble contrast agents for computed tomography of the liver: results with cholesteryl iopanoate.

Abstract

A new class of compounds, polyiodinated sterol esters, has recently been synthesized and found to have characteristics suggesting potential value as site-specific hepatic computed tomographic (CT) contrast agents. A prototype compound, cholesteryl iopanoate, was administered intravenously to rabbits in doses of 65 mg I/kg. The compound was found to significantly enhance hepatic parenchyma to a maximal level of 65 Hounsfield units (HU) above base-line values without observable splenic enhancement. A subsequent study comparing the administered dose with the change in CT attenuation values of liver demonstrated that near-maximum enhancement reaching 22 HU was achieved at a dose of 30 mg I/kg within 24 h after injection. The enhancement characteristics suggest the mechanism of hepatic accumulation may not be mediated solely by the reticuloendothelial system. Administration of cholesteryl iopanoate (30 mg I/kg) to rabbits with hepatic tumors (V x 2 adenocarcinoma) resulted in the CT imaging of tumors as small as 2 mm in diameter. Further investigation of this new class of lipid-soluble contrast agents seems warranted.

• Authors: G M Glazer, M A Longino, S W Schwendner, R E Counsell, J P Weichert
• Journal: Journal of computer assisted tomography (J Comput Assist Tomogr) Vol. 7 Issue 5 Pg. 775-9 (Oct 1983) ISSN: 0363-8715 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6886127 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Cholesterol Esters
• Contrast Media
• cholesteryl iopanoate

Topics

• Animals
• Chemical Phenomena
• Chemistry
• Cholesterol Esters (metabolism)
• Contrast Media (metabolism)
• Lipid Metabolism
• Liver (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, pathology)
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging)
• Rabbits
• Solubility
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed (methods)