Colloidal gold nanoparticles as a blood-pool contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography in mice.
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.
Cai
Quan-Yu
QY
Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
Kim
Sun Hee
SH
Choi
Kyu Sil
KS
Kim
Soo Yeon
SY
Byun
Seung Jae
SJ
Kim
Kyoung Woo
KW
Park
Seong Hoon
SH
Juhng
Seon Kwan
SK
Yoon
Kwon-Ha
KH
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
D003102:Colloids; D003287:Contrast Media; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold