Nitroxide radicals (or nitroxyl
spin labels) are stable organic compounds with theoretical potential for use as a paramagnetic
MRI contrast agent. Similar to
gadolinium they have an unpaired
electron, a property that provides enhancement in T1 based
MRI, and a comparable pharmacokinetic.
Depending on their structure and chemical bonding, different nitroxides formula may have the potential for use as
cardiovascular imaging agents, to enhance the
MR imaging on
joints (e.g., dendrimer-linked nitroxides have a strong affinity for cartilage), to evaluate
brain tumors and infarction, and as a
contrast enhancement agent of body/abdominal
NMR imaging.
Nitroxides are rapidly enzymatically reduced in tissues to products that do not enhance the
NMR signal, which can be a problem for
MR imaging. In animal experiments with EPRI (
electron paramagnetic resonance imaging), tissue redox studies show differences between tumors and normal tissues, which reflect their respective redox status consistent with the reduction/clearance of nitroxides.