Paramagnetic Effects Endogenous

Influence of several nitrosyl-iron complexes on relaxation rates was assessed to establish a MR imaging technique for nitric oxide (NO). To induce formation of nitrosyl-ion complexes in a biological tissue, isolated rat liver was perfused with a saline solution of the NO donor sodium nitroprus-side (SNP), and the MR signal intensity was examined thereafter. Nitrosyl-iron complexes exhibit a contrast effect at MR imaging that can be exploited for NO imaging in living animals and patients with conventional MR imaging. 

The brain pallidal Ti-weighed MRI signal hyperintensity was recorded in 10 women and 11 men (33-69 yrs) with chronic liver disease and the data were correlated with self-reported clinical neurological symptoms and blood serum Fe, Mn, bilirubin, alk. phosphatase and aspartate transaminase, erythrocyte Mn, and blood Hb and hematocrit levels. 

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