Relaxation of water protons in the intra- and extracellular regions of blood containing Gd(DTPA).

The magnetic field dependence of the longitudinal relaxation rates 1/T1 (NMRD profiles) of blood and plasma from rabbits before and after injection of Gd(DTPA) are reported as a function of magnetic field strength from 0.01 to 50 MHz. Over 100 values along the time-dependent magnetization were recorded for each 1/T1 and analyzed for multiple exponentials. From these data, which indicate a single exponential, from the measured Gd content of each sample, and the NMRD profiles, we show that Gd is in the extracellular space only and is present as rotationally mobile Gd(DTPA), uncomplexed with protein or blood cells; and that the water protons exchange rapidly between the intra- and extracellular regions.