Methods for functional kidney imaging using small dendrimer contrast agents

摘要

Small dendrimer-based MRI contrast agents are disclosed to accumulate in renal tubules. The accumulation enables visualization of renal structure and function, permitting assessment of structural and functional damage to the kidneys. In a disclosed embodiment, six, small dendrimer-based MRI contrast agents were synthesized, and their pharmacokinetics, whole body retention, and renal MRI images were evaluated in mice. Surprisingly, despite having unequal renal clearance properties, all of the dendrimer agents clearly visualized the renal anatomy and proximal straight tubules of the mice better than Gd-[DTPA]-dimeglumine. Dendrimer conjugate contrast agents prepared from PAMAM-G2D, DAB-G3D, and DAB-G2D dendrimers were excreted rapidly and may be acceptable for use in clinical applications.