Determination of stability constants and acute toxicity of potential hepatotropic gadolinium complexes.

Due to their high specificity for the hepatobiliary system, iminodiacetic acid derivatives are known to form a class of hepatobiliary agents. In this paper we present new hepatotropic gadolinium complexes to be used as potential MRI contrast agents. Derivatives of N-(2-phenylamine-2-oxoethyl) iminodiacetic acid are introduced as ligands into such complexes. In this way, we hope to achieve a valuable diagnostic tool for investigating of pathological changes in the liver. Stability constants of complexes were determined by potentiometric titration in 0.1 mol L(-1) NaNO3 solution at 20.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Stability and selectivity constants were also determined for endogenous metal ions such as Cu2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+ with the use of SUPERQUAD computer program. Acute toxicity of new gadolinium complexes was assessed in mice and histopathology examinations were carried out.