Detection of experimental hepatic tumors using long circulating superparamagnetic particles.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate the potential of an iron oxide-based MR contrast agent for the detection and delineation of experimental liver tumors during the early vascular phase of the compound.

Methods: Superparamagnetic blood pool agent (SBPA) was administered intravenously to rabbits bearing VX2 tumors. Images were acquired before the injection, immediately after, and 1 or 3 weeks later.

Long circulating superparamagnetic particles with high T2 relaxivity.

Novel superparamagnetic particles coated with a phospholipid and a surfactant were characterized and evaluated in vivo. These particles (SBPA) were shown to exhibit r2 relaxivities in the range of 350-450 mM-1.s-1, r1 values of 8-12 mM-1.

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism and elimination of itanoxone in humans.

The pharmacokinetics, metabolism and elimination of Itanoxone was studied after a single oral administration of the carbon-14-labelled drug (500 mg) in four male volunteers. The drug was absorbed fairly rapidly with a mean peak plasma level of 10.3 +/- 1.