# Impact of gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent and local anesthetics co-administration on chondrogenic gadolinium uptake and cytotoxicity

## TL;DR

This study investigates how combining a MRI contrast agent with local anesthetics affects cartilage cells and gadolinium uptake.

## Contribution

The study reveals that co-administration of local anesthetics enhances gadolinium uptake into cartilage and compares the toxicity of two anesthetics.

## Key findings

- Co-administration of local anesthetics increases gadolinium uptake in chondrogenic spheroids.
- Ropivacaine causes reversible cell toxicity, while bupivacaine causes irreversible cell death.
- DOTA-Gd does not alter the cytotoxicity of the anesthetics.

## Abstract

The gadolinium-based contrast agent DOTA-Gd is clinically used in combination with local anesthetics for direct magnetic resonance arthrography. It remains unclear whether gadolinium uptake into cartilage is influenced by co-administration of bupivacaine or ropivacaine and whether DOTA-Gd alters their chondrotoxicity. Gadolinium quantification of chondrogenic spheroids revealed enhanced gadolinium uptake after simultaneous exposure to local anesthetics. Analyses of the spatial gadolinium distribution using synchrotron X-ray-fluorescence scanning indicates gadolinium exposed chondrocytes. In vitro exposure to DOTA-Gd does not alter viability and proliferation of human chondrocytes and the chondrotoxic potential of the anesthetics. Reduced viability induced by ropivacaine was found to be reversible, while exposure to bupivacaine leads to irreversible cell death. Our data suggest that ropivacaine is more tolerable than bupivacaine and that DOTA-Gd exposure does not alter the cytotoxicity of both anesthetics. Enhanced gadolinium uptake into cartilage due to co-administration of anesthetics should find attention.