title: Boron nitride nanotubes radiolabeled with ⁹⁹mTc: preparation, physicochemical characterization, biodistribution study, and scintigraphic imaging in Swiss mice.
abstract: In the present study, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were synthesized from an innovative process and functionalized with a glycol chitosan polymer in CDTN (Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear) laboratories. As a means of studying their in vivo biodistribution behavior, these nanotubes were radiolabeled with (99m)Tc and injected in mice. Their size, distribution, and homogeneity were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), while their zeta potential was determined by laser Doppler anemometry. The morphology and structural organization were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The functionalization in the nanotubes was evaluated by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that BNNTs were obtained and functionalized successfully, reaching a mean size and dispersity deemed adequate for in vivo studies. The BNNTs were also evaluated by ex vivo biodistribution studies and scintigraphic imaging in healthy mice. The results showed that nanostructures, after 24h, having accumulated in the liver, spleen and gut, and eliminated via renal excretion. The findings from this study reveal a potential application of functionalized BNNTs as new potential drugs or radioisotope nanocarriers to be applied in therapeutic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - Laboratório de Materiais Nanoestruturados para Bioaplicações. Av. Antônio Carlos 6.627, Pampulha - 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. dcfs@cdtn.br
authors.forename: Daniel Crístian Ferreira
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Tiago Hilário
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Carolina de Aguiar
authors.initials: Cde A
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Valbert Nascimento
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Edésia Martins Barros
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Sousa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology; D043942:Nanotubes; D010316:Particle Size; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D013667:Technetium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D004337:Drug Carriers; C118638:glycol-chitosan; C017282:boron nitride; D013667:Technetium; D048271:Chitosan