Research on a new oral contrast agent for abdominal MRI using free manganese ion

Manganese chloride (Mn: 3 mg/100 g) aqueous solution with hydragenated oligosaccharide and xanthan gum (T1: 0.1 sec, T2: 0.03 sec at 0.5T) functions in gut as a positive contrast agent on MR T1-weighted images and a low signal component on MR T2-weighted images. The manganese in the solution functions as a contrast agent under free manganese ion (Mn2+). Further, the solution has special characteristics in terms of MRI signal intensity and relaxation time that are equal to those of blueberry juice, which performs as an effective contrast agent on T1-and T2-weighted images, and functions as a contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. (author)