Euterpe olerácea (aça [formula omitted]) as an alternative oral contrast agent in MRI of the gastrointestinal system: preliminary results

• Published in: Magnetic resonance imaging Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 389 - 393
• Main Authors: Córdova-Fraga, T., de Araujo, D.B., Sanchez, T.A., Elias, J., Carneiro, A.A.O., Brandt-Oliveira, R., Sosa, M., Baffa, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-04-2004
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Arecaceae; Brazil; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Euterpe oleracea; Gastrointestinal Diseases - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal imaging; Gastrointestinal Tract - anatomy & histology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI; Oral contrast; Plant Preparations - administration & dosage; Stomach; Stomach - anatomy & histology; Brazil; Stomach; Oral contrast; MRI; Gastrointestinal imaging
• ISSN: 0730-725X; 1873-5894
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2004.01.018

Using contrast agents is a common practice in medical imaging protocols. Paramagnetic properties of certain compounds present in contrast agents can affect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. For abdominal applications, they are usually injected, but may also be administered orally. However, their use as a routine technique is limited, mainly due to the lack of appropriate oral contrast agents. We herein present the preliminary characterization and results for implementation of
Euterpe Olerácea (popularly named
Açaı́) as a possible clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract. The pulp of
Açaı́, a fruit from the Amazon area, presented an increase in T
1-weighted MRI signal, equivalent to that of gadolinium-diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid, and a decrease in T
2-weighted images. We looked for intrinsic properties that could be responsible for the T
1 signal enhancement and T
2 opacification. Atomic absorption spectra revealed the presence of Fe, Mn and Cu ions in
Açai. The presence of such ions contribute to the susceptometric value found of χ = −4.83×10
−6. This finding assents with the hypothesis that image contrast changes were due to the presence of paramagnetic material. The first measurements in vivo demonstrate a clear increase of contrast, in T
1-weighted images, due to the presence of
Açaı́. Consistently, the opacification in a T
2-weighted acquisition was evident, revealing a good contrast on bowel walls of gastric tissues.