title: Dual radiolabeling as a technique to track nanocarriers: the case of gold nanoparticles.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have shown great potential for use in nanomedicine and nanotechnologies due to their ease of synthesis and functionalization. However, their apparent biocompatibility and biodistribution is still a matter of intense debate due to the lack of clear safety data. To investigate the biodistribution of AuNPs, monodisperse 14-nm dual-radiolabeled [14C]citrate-coated [198Au]AuNPs were synthesized and their physico-chemical characteristics compared to those of non-radiolabeled AuNPs synthesized by the same method. The dual-radiolabeled AuNPs were administered to rats by oral or intravenous routes. After 24 h, the amounts of Au core and citrate surface coating were quantified using gamma spectroscopy for 198Au and liquid scintillation for the 14C. The Au core and citrate surface coating had different biodistribution profiles in the organs/tissues analyzed, and no oral absorption was observed. We conclude that the different components of the AuNPs system, in this case the Au core and citrate surface coating, did not remain intact, resulting in the different distribution profiles observed. A better understanding of the biodistribution profiles of other surface attachments or cargo of AuNPs in relation to the Au core is required to successfully use AuNPs as drug delivery vehicles.
authors.affiliation: DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. 24089117@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Clinton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rambanapasi
authors.affiliation: DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. Nicola.Barnard@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barnard
authors.affiliation: DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. Anne.Grobler@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grobler
authors.affiliation: DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. 24861820@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Hylton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buntting
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Department, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (SOC) Ltd., P. O. Box 482, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. Molahlehi.Sonopo@necsa.co.za.
authors.forename: Molahlehi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sonopo
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Department, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (SOC) Ltd., P. O. Box 482, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. david.r.jansen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Chemical Resources Beneficiation Group, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. Anine.Jordaan@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Anine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jordaan
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consultation Services, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. Faans.Steyn@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steyn
authors.affiliation: DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. janrijn.zeevaart@necsa.co.za.
authors.forename: Jan Rijn
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zeevaart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D019343:Citric Acid; D006046:Gold
keywords: Sprague Dawley rats; biodistribution profiles; dual radiolabeling; gold nanoparticles