title: Colloidal gold nanoparticles as a blood-pool contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the pharmacokinetics and computed tomographic imaging efficacy of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a blood-pool agent for x-ray computed tomography (CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  To prepare the colloidal AuNPs, gold nanocrystals were modified using sulfhydrated polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cytotoxicity and histopathologic tests were carried out for toxicity evaluation. Six adult Balb/c mice underwent microcomputed tomography scans after injection of colloidal AuNPs (2.5 micromol Au/g body weight). Four mice with HT-1080 tumors were imaged for visualization of the tumor vasculature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PEG coated colloidal AuNPs appeared as spherical nanoparticles with 38-nm diameters. The AuNPs-PEG showed a biocompatibility without toxicity in the mice. We identified a stable imaging window for visualizing the vasculature system, immediately to 24 hours after injection. Microcomputed tomography imaging using AuNPs-PEG clearly visualized the tumor vascular structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colloidal AuNPs show potential as a blood-pool agent for x-ray CT imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
authors.forename: Quan-Yu
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Sun Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu Sil
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Soo Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Kyoung Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seon Kwan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Juhng
authors.forename: Kwon-Ha
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003102:Colloids; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D003287:Contrast Media; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold