title: Super-paramagnetic loaded nanoparticles based on biological macromolecules for in vivo targeted MR imaging.
abstract: Target-specific MRI contrast agent based on super-paramagnetic iron oxide-chitosan-folic acid (SPIONP-CS-FA) nanoparticles was fabricated by using an ionotropic gelation method, which involved the loading of SPIONPs at various concentrations into CS-FA nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction. The SPIONP-CS-FA nanoparticles were characterized by ATR-FTIR, XRD, TEM, and VSM techniques. This study revealed that the advantages of this system would be green fabrication, low cytotoxicity at iron concentrations ranging from 0.52 mg/L to 4.16 mg/L, and high water stability (pH 6) at 4°C over long periods. Average particle size and positive zeta-potential of the SPIONP-CS-FA nanoparticles was found to be 130 nm with narrow size distribution and 42 mV, respectively. In comparison to SPIONP-0.5-CS nanoparticles, SPIONP-0.5-CS-FA nanoparticles showed higher and specific cellular uptake levels into human cervical adenocarcinoma cells due to the presence of folate receptors, while in vivo results (Wistar rat) indicated that only liver tissue showed significant decreases in MR image intensity on T2 weighted images and T2* weighted images after post-injection, in comparison with other organs. Our results demonstrated that SPIONP-CS-FA nanoparticles can be applied as an either tumor or organ specific MRI contrast agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chutimon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanjai
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: suchart.kothan@cmu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Suchart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kothan
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 10120, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pattarapond
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonil
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 10120, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saesoo
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 10120, Thailand. Electronic address: sajomsang@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Warayuth
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sajomsang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D059346:Magnets / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Chitosan; Chitosan-folic acid nanoparticles; Ionotropic gelation; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Super-paramagnetic iron oxide