Pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles in mice.
BACKGROUND
This study explored the pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4) MNPs) in imprinting control region (ICR) mice.


METHODS
The Fe(3)O(4) MNPs were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation, and their morphology and appearance were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ICR mice were divided into a control group and a Fe(3)O(4) MNP-treated group. Probable target organs in ICR mice were observed, and the pharmacokinetic parameters and biodistribution of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs in tissues were identified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
Fe(3)O(4) MNPs were spherical with a well distributed particle diameter, and were distributed widely in various target organs and tissues including the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, brain, stomach, small intestine, and bone marrow. The majority of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs were distributed to the liver and the spleen. Fe(3)O(4) MNP levels in brain tissue were higher in the Fe(3)O(4) MNP-treated group than in the control group, indicating that Fe(3)O(4) MNPs can penetrate the blood-brain barrier.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the distribution of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs was mostly in the liver and spleen, so the curative effect of these compounds could be more pronounced for liver tumors. Furthermore, Fe(3)O(4) MNPs might be used as drug carriers to overcome physiologic barriers.
Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, Clinical Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Jun
J
Wang
Yue
Y
Chen
Baoan
B
Chen
Jiahua
J
Ding
Guohua
G
Xia
Chong
C
Gao
Jian
J
Cheng
Nan
N
Jin
Ying
Y
Zhou
Xiaomao
X
Li
Meng
M
Tang
Xue Mei
XM
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D050997:Nanomedicine; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004337:Drug Carriers; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide