Membrane Interactions of Gadolinium

Abstract

The administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has become the standard in the field of diagnostic imaging. Although widely considered safe, instances of long-term gadolinium retention following GBCA administration have been observed. One possible source of Gd3+ induced toxicity are the lipid membranes surrounding cells. The primary focus of this thesis is on the interactions of Gd3+ with lipid membranes, as disruption to membrane properties may have consequences for transport, signalling, and overall cellular integrity. This study has shown that Gd3+ rigidifies membranes containing negatively charged lipids in both simple and complex model membranes. Additionally, Gd3+ was found to affect biological lipid extracts including Brain Polar Extract. This is especially important as the brain is a known area of Gd3+ deposition.