title: Cross-linked, degradable starch microspheres as carriers of paramagnetic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging: synthesis, degradation, and relaxation properties.
abstract: Biodegradable particles were produced by the cross-linking of starch with epichlorohydrin. Diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) was covalently linked to the particles by using DTPA bisanhydride. The small, gadolinium-labelled particles were 40-260% more efficient in vitro proton relaxation agents than the corresponding unbound chelate gadolinium-DTPA. The relaxation properties were dependent on the metal chelate, the particle size, the metal content, and the degree of substitution (d.s.). For the small gadolinium-DTPA particles, an increased d.s. decreased the rate of degradation by alpha-amylase.
authors.affiliation: Nycomed AS, R & D Division, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rongved
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klaveness
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D013213:Starch / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D013213:Starch; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA