A chelate is a heterocyclic chemical compound whose molecules consist of a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions. The parent organic compound is known as a chelating agent - for example, DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) used in contrast agents. Chelates are used in analytical chemistry, in agriculture as carriers of essential trace metals, in water softening, and to remove an excess of iron, which may build up to toxic levels in the body. Metalloproteins may influence the performance of enzymes or provide a mechanism for the storage of iron in the spleen and plasma of the human body.
Paramagnetic metal ions such as gadolinium improve the MRI signal, but the toxicity of these uncomplexed metal ions makes the use of a chelate to bind the metal ion essential. The chelated metal ion could be safely excreted.

The diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-chelate contains five acetate moieties linked by a molecular backbone, which bind a metallic ion complex. This chemical bonding solves the problem of toxicity of, e.g. Gadolinium, because DTPA complexes are very stable.
DTPA is used together with technetium-99m as a nuclear imaging radiopharmaceutical and with gadolinium as a MR contrast medium. DTPA chelates undergo renal glomerular filtration and can be used to quantify it. DTPA is also used as a decontamination agent in individuals who have ingested radioactive materials.

Short name: Gd-DTPA, generic name: Gadopentetate dimeglumine, chemical compound: Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
Gadopentetate dimeglumine was introduced in 1981, as the first paramagnetic MRI contrast agent (ionic). The Gd-induced dipole dipole interactions lead to shortening of T1, which results in contrast enhancement on T1 weighted images. The used metal ion Gd3+ (gadolinium) is toxic, and therefore bound in the renally excreted DTPA chelate, a very stable complex. The Gd-complex also induce susceptibility effects, as a result of the magnetic field gradient between the contrast agent in the blood vessels and the surrounding tissue, that lead to shortening of T2 or T2*.
Following intravenous administration, the compound is distributed rapidly in the extracellular space and is eliminated unchanged by glomerular filtration via the kidneys. Up to 6 hours, post injection an average of 83% of the dose is eliminated renal.

See also Magnevist®, Gadolinium and Contrast Agents.

Short name: Gd-EOB-DTPA, generic name: Gadoxetic acid, chemical compound: Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
Primovist™ (formerly Eovist®) is a nonionic water-soluble liver tissue-specific MRI contrast agent with positive enhancement. The agent allows detection and differentiation of hepatic tumors due to specific uptake by healthy liver tissue, but not by tumors in the affected organ. Gd-EOB-DTPA has hepatocyte-specific properties, but provides earlier perfusion information acquired within first ten minutes. Hepatocyte uptake generally occurs beyond 10 minutes.