Nitroxyl spin label contrast enhancers for magnetic resonance imaging. Studies of acute toxicity and mutagenesis.

Two nitroxyl spin label (NSL) compounds that are used experimentally as in vivo contrast enhancers in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were tested for acute toxicity in rats and for genotoxic effects in cell cultures. These compounds, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl-oxy-3-carboxylic acid (PCA) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxido-4-piperidinyl-1-succinic acid (TES) and their hydroxylamine and amine derivatives did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or mutations in Chinese hamster ovary cells at the HGPRT or Na+/K+ ATPase loci. The acute LD50 doses in rats for PCA and TES are 15.1 mmol/kg or greater, suggesting relatively high tolerance.