title: Electrospun Contrast-Agent-Loaded Fibers for Colon-Targeted MRI.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging is a diagnostic tool used for detecting abnormal organs and tissues, often using Gd(III) complexes as contrast-enhancing agents. In this work, core-shell polymer fibers have been prepared using coaxial electrospinning, with the intent of delivering gadolinium (III) diethylenetriaminepentaacetate hydrate (Gd(DTPA)) selectively to the colon. The fibers comprise a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) core loaded with Gd(DTPA), and a Eudragit S100 shell. They are homogeneous, with distinct core-shell phases. The components in the fibers are dispersed in an amorphous fashion. The proton relaxivities of Gd(DTPA) are preserved after electrospinning. To permit easy visualization of the release of the active ingredient from the fibers, analogous materials are prepared loaded with the dye rhodamine B. Very little release is seen in a pH 1.0 buffer, while sustained release is seen at pH 7.4. The fibers thus have the potential to selectively deliver Gd(DTPA) to the colon. Mucoadhesion studies reveal there are strong adhesive forces between porcine colon mucosa and PEO from the core, and the dye-loaded fibers can be successfully used to image the porcine colon wall. The electrospun core-shell fibers prepared in this work can thus be developed as advanced functional materials for effective imaging of colonic abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N, 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
authors.forename: Deng-Guang
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Coimbra Chemistry Center - CQC, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-393, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos F G C
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Geraldes
authors.affiliation: UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N, 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Gareth R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
authors.forename: S W Annie
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bligh
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011522:Protons; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: Gd(III) complex; coaxial electrospinning; colon-targeted delivery; core-shell fibers; magnetic resonance imaging