In vitro and in vivo comparative performance studies of gadolinium-loaded zeolites and Gd-DOTA as contrast agents for MRI applications.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (CAs) were synthesized using faujasite zeolite (NaX) and zeolite beta (BEA) and their performances in vitro and in vivo were compared to the widely used commercial CA, gadoteric acid (Gd-DOTA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxometry studies (considering longitudinal [T ] and transverse [T ] relaxation times) were performed using Gd-DOTA and the zeolitic materials loaded with Gd . The Gd-loaded NaX, which presented large pores and cavities (7.