Research Article

In vitro cytogenotoxic evaluation of gadobutrol on mcf-7 cell line and computational molecular docking analysis

Volume: 6 Number: 3 September 28, 2025
TR EN

In vitro cytogenotoxic evaluation of gadobutrol on mcf-7 cell line and computational molecular docking analysis

Abstract

Background: Gadobutrol (Gd) is a highly water-soluble, hydrophilic gadolinium-based (Gd-based) contrast agent with thermodynamic stability, bound to a non-ionic, macrocyclic hard chelate complex. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible genocytotoxic effects of gadobutrol, which is widely used worldwide, in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Furthermore, the interaction energy level of gadobutrol with B-DNA was evaluated in silico using molecular docking. Methods: Gadobutrol (0.1 mM, 1 mM, 10 mM and 100 mM) was applied to MCF-7 cells and the decrease in cell viability and IC 50 dose were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) method. After determining the IC 50 values of gadobutrol (3.31 mM, 6.63 mM, 13.27 mM and 26.54 mM), the genotoxic effects of gadobutrol on MCF-7 cells were examined using Comet assay. Furthermore, a molecular docking experiment was performed using Schrödinger Maestro 13.9 to predict the possible interaction of gadobutrol in the crystal structures of the B-DNA molecule. Results: All concentrations of gadobutrol did not cause a statistically significant change in terms of genotoxic effect in MCF-7 cells (ns p > 0.05). However, all concentrations applied for MTS statistically significantly decreased cell viability in MCF-7 cells (**p < 0.01 and ****p < 0.0001, respectively). According to the results of in silico analysis; Gadobutrol is located in the minor groove of DNA. Hydrogen bonds were formed between the hydroxyl groups of the molecule and DNA bases and the free binding energy was determined as -6.14 kcal/mol. Conclusions: According to the results of the study carried out under in vitro conditions, it was determined that gadobutrol used in MRI imaging did not show genotoxic effects but statistically decreased cell viability. In addition, the interaction of gadobutrol with B-DNA suggested that it may induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The cytogenotoxic effect of gadobutrol in MCF-7 cells may indicate a promising new strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Keywords

cancer , MCF-7 cell line , gadobutrol , Cytotoxicity , Genotoxicity , İn slico molecular docking

References

  1. Hill MA. Cardiac MR imaging genotoxicity? Eur Heart J. 2018;39(4):313-5.
  2. Simi S, Ballardin M, Casella M, De Marchi D, Hartwig V, Giovannetti G, et al. Is the genotoxic effect of magnetic resonance negligible? Low persistence of micronucleus frequency in lymphocytes of individuals after cardiac scan. Mutat Res. 2008;645(1-2):39-43.
  3. Bilgin B, Adam M, Hekim MG, Bulut F, Ozcan M. Gadolinium-based contrast agents aggravate mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in a nitroglycerine-induced migraine model in male mice. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2024;111:67-73.
  4. Alvares RDA, Szulc DA, Cheng HL. A scale to measure MRI contrast agent sensitivity. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):15493. Shellock FG, Kanal E. Safety of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Journal of J Magn Reson Imaging. 1999;10(3):477-84.
  5. Fraum TJ, Ludwig DR, Bashir MR, Fowler KJ. Gadolinium-based contrast agents: A comprehensive risk assessment. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2017;46(2):338-53.
  6. Xiao YD, Paudel R, Liu J, Ma C, Zhang ZS, Zhou SK. MRI contrast agents: Classification and application (Review). Int J Mol Med. 2016;38(5):1319-26.
  7. Iyad N, M SA, Alkhatib SG, Hjouj M. Gadolinium contrast agents—challenges and opportunities of a multidisciplinary approach: Literature review. Eur J Radiol Open. 2023;11:100503.
  8. Wack C, Steger-Hartmann T, Mylecraine L, Hofmeister R. Toxicological safety evaluation of gadobutrol. Invest Radiol. 2012;47(11):611-23.
  9. Rohrer M, Bauer H, Mintorovitch J, Requardt M, Weinmann HJ. Comparison of magnetic properties of MRI contrast media solutions at different magnetic field strengths. Invest Radiol. 2005;40(11):715-24.
  10. Hao D, Ai T, Goerner F, Hu X, Runge VM, Tweedle M. MRI contrast agents: basic chemistry and safety. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2012;36(5):1060-71.
APA
Kenger, İ. H., & Bilgin, B. (2025). In vitro cytogenotoxic evaluation of gadobutrol on mcf-7 cell line and computational molecular docking analysis. Archives of Current Medical Research, 6(3), 226-234. https://doi.org/10.47482/acmr.1643905