A micrometer-sized ultrasound contrast agent with nanometer-scale polygonal patterning surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a smaller micro-sized bubble ultrasound contrast agent which composed of an insoluble, less-dense, self-assembled surfactant with a condensed crystallized nanometer-scale polygonal patterning surface.


METHODS
The microbubble was prepared by high-shear mixing a mixture of sucrose esters, glucose sugar, and water. The coulter counter was used to measure the size and concentration of the microbubble. Surface patterns of the microbubble were determined using vitrified samples under cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Myocardial contrast effects of six normal dog's myocardium were assessed.


RESULTS
The diameter of the developed microbubble was smaller than Sonovue(®). Direct imaging of cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed that the developed microbubble has a nanometer-scale polygonal surface pattern. Both the developed microbubble and Sonovue(®) effectively enhanced the myocardial contrast. The difference in the peak video intensity, the longevity of the contrast effect, and time-to-peak interval between both microbubbles were not statistically significant (NS).


CONCLUSIONS
The microbubble with nanometer-scale polygonal patterning surfaces is a feasible and promising contrast agent for the ultrasound imaging.
Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Zhonghua
Z
Teng
Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Shiping
S
Cao
Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Wei
W
Li
Department of Pharmacology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Li
L
Yang
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68131, USA.
Wen
W
Shi
Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Yuegang
Y
Wang
Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China. jaffiwu@hotmail.com.
Juefei
J
Wu
Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Jianping
J
Bin
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D045423:Microbubbles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010743:Phospholipids; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003287:Contrast Media; D004952:Esters; D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D014867:Water; D013395:Sucrose; D005947:Glucose; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Microbubbles; Nanometer-scale patterning; Self-assembled