Detailed toxicity studies of liposomal gadolinium–DTPA

Acute, subacute, and delayed toxicity testing was assessed in mice for liposomal gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA), blank liposomes, and nonliposomal Gd-DTPA. In the subacute experiments mice were injected intravenously (IV) with 0.3 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA per day for 30 days in the form of either free Gd-DTPA, liposomal Gd-DTPA, or an equivalent amount of lipid in blank liposomes without Gd-DTPA. The interpolated acute LD₅₀ of liposomal and nonliposomal Gd-DTPA, estimated as a means of identifying the approximate level, was similar (LD₅₀ = 5.7 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA). In subacute toxicity testing, prolonged high doses of liposomal Gd-DTPA caused splenomegaly, cardiomegaly, lymphocytopenia and hypergammaglobulinemia (P < .05). Nonliposomal Gd-DTPA caused mild cardiomegaly and altered liver enzymes (P < .05). Blank liposomes caused relatively mild splenomegaly (P < .05) but few other changes. Delayed testing three months after the subacute testing showed that most of the changes caused by the liposomal Gd-DTPA were reversible.