Issue 46, 2014

Dextran coated bismuth–iron oxide nanohybrid contrast agents for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Bismuth nanoparticles have been proposed as a novel CT contrast agent, however few syntheses of biocompatible bismuth nanoparticles have been achieved. We herein report the synthesis of composite bismuth–iron oxide nanoparticles (BION) that are based on a clinically approved, dextran-coated iron oxide formulation; the particles have the advantage of acting as contrast agents for both CT and MRI. BION were synthesized and characterized using various analytical methods. BION CT phantom images revealed that the X-ray attenuation of the different formulations was dependent upon the amount of bismuth present in the nanoparticle, while T2-weighted MRI contrast decreased with increasing bismuth content. No cytotoxicity was observed in Hep G2 and BJ5ta cells after 24 hours incubation with BION. The above properties, as well as the yield of synthesis and bismuth inclusion efficiency, led us to select the Bi-30 formulation for in vivo experiments, performed in mice using a micro-CT and a 9.4 T MRI system. X-ray contrast was observed in the heart and blood vessels over a 2 hour period, indicating that Bi-30 has a prolonged circulation half-life. Considerable signal loss in T2-weighted MR images was observed in the liver compared to pre-injection scans. Evaluation of the biodistribution of Bi-30 revealed that bismuth is excreted via the urine, with significant concentrations found in the kidneys and urine. In vitro experiments confirmed the degradability of Bi-30. In summary, dextran coated BION are biocompatible, biodegradable, possess strong X-ray attenuation properties and also can be used as T2-weighted MR contrast agents.

Graphical abstract: Dextran coated bismuth–iron oxide nanohybrid contrast agents for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 7 2014
Accepted
02 10 2014
First published
02 10 2014

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014,2, 8239-8248

Author version available

Dextran coated bismuth–iron oxide nanohybrid contrast agents for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

P. C. Naha, A. Al Zaki, E. Hecht, M. Chorny, P. Chhour, E. Blankemeyer, D. M. Yates, W. R. T. Witschey, H. I. Litt, A. Tsourkas and D. P. Cormode, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 8239 DOI: 10.1039/C4TB01159G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements