Gadobutrol Exerts a Cytogenotoxic Effect in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Objective: Gadobutrol is a macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although it is also used in the imaging of malignant tumors, its effect on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gadobutol on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Methods: After incubation of neuroblastoma cells with gadobutrol (0.1 mM, 1 mM, 10 mM, and 100 mM), cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. After determining the IC 50 value of gadobutrol, the genotoxicity effect of gadobutrol (1.75 mM, 3.50 mM, and 7 mM) on neuroblastoma cells was examined by Comet assay. Results: Gadobutrol (0.1 mM, 1 mM, 10 mM, and 100 mM) statistically significantly decreased cell viability in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Gadobutrol (1.75 mM, 3.50 mM, and 7 mM) caused an increase in genotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells. However, gadobutrol (3.50 mM) and gadobutrol (7 mM) statistically significantly increased genotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this in vitro study show that gadobutrol used as a contrast agent in MRI increases both cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The cytogenotoxic effect of gadobutrol in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells may point to it as a promising new strategy for the treatment of neuroblastoma.