Biocompatible Low-Retention Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoclusters as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Tumor.
Although superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have been developed as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), acute iron overload due to the persistently high retention of SPIOs in the liver and spleen that are slowly converted to ferroproteins is a serious safety concern. Here, we report that the addition of poly-L-lysine polymers to an SPIO hydroxyethyl starch solution produced tightly controlled, monodispersed nanoparticles in a size-dependent manner as effective contrast agents for the MRI of liver tumors. High MRI contrast was demonstrated with an orthotopic liver tumor model at a low injection dose. Simultaneously, rapid bioclearance of excess iron in the lung and spleen and in blood serum was observed within 24 h post-injection. The full excretion of excess iron was confirmed in urine post-intravenous injection, suggesting that the effective clearance of SPIOs could be achieved with our SPIO nanoclusters as a liver imaging contrast agent to resolve acute iron overload in the clinical usage of SPIOs as a contrast agent.
Yushuang
Y
Wei
Rufang
R
Liao
Haijuan
H
Liu
Huan
H
Li
Haibo
H
Xu
Qibing
Q
Zhou
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010316:Particle Size; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C000499:ferric oxide; D011107:Polylysine