Gadolinium Complex of 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-1,4,7-trisacetic Acid (DO3A) Conjugate of Tranexamates: A Quest for a Liver-specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent

The work is directed toward the synthesis of a series of DO3A conjugates of tranexamates (1c-e) and their Gd complexes (2c-e) for use as a liver-specific MRI CA. All these complexes show thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities comparable to those of structurally related clinical agents such as Dotarem$^{(R)}$. Their $R_1$ relaxivities also compare well with those of commercial agent, ranging 3.68-4.84 $mM^{-1}s^{-1}$. In vivo MR images of mice with 2a-e reveal that only 2a exhibits liver-specificity. Although 2b and 2c show strong enhancement in liver, yet no bile-excretion is observed to be termed as a liver-specific agent. The rest behaves much like ordinary ECF CAs like Dotarem$^{(R)}$. The new series possess no toxicity to be employed in vivo.