title: Synthesis and characterization of novel radiopaque poly(allyl amine) nanoparticles.
abstract: Contrast agents are currently used in a variety of diagnostic imaging techniques, including computer tomography for early cancer detection. Radiopaque nanoparticles have recently been proposed as an alternative method to traditional contrast agents that may allow for long-term image tracking. The aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of aqueous suspensions of radiopaque nanoparticles made of poly(allyl amine) derivatives. Poly(allylamine) (PA) was modified by grafting either 4-iodobenzoyl chloride or 2,3,5-triiodobenzoyl chloride to make the polymer x-ray visible. Nanoparticles of the modified PA were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and purified with respect to residual organic solvents. Stable suspensions of spherical particles of sub-micronic diameter were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the 4.5 wt% suspensions of nanoparticles displayed an x-ray visibility ranging between 185 and 235 HU. The non-clustering ability of the novel PA radiopaque nanoparticles suggests they could be injected via a catheter without clogging or sedimentation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Automatique et de Génie des Procédés, LAGEP, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Damia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mawad
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lauto
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Penciu
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Méhier
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fenet
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fessi
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chevalier
mesh_terms: D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D007463:Iodobenzoates / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D003287:Contrast Media; D007463:Iodobenzoates; D011073:Polyamines; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C063994:polyallylamine