Journal
ACS NANO
Volume 4, Issue 4, Pages 2095-2103Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/nn9013388
Keywords
nanorods; iron oxide; cytoxicity; superparamagnetic MRI
Categories
Funding
- Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innoyacion [MAT2008-03224/NAN]
- Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid [S-0505/MAT/0194]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Development of nanosized materials to enhance the image contrast between the normal and diseased tissue and/or to indicate the status of organ functions or blood flow is essential in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here we describe a contrast agent based on a new ben oxide design (superparamagnetic iron oxide clusters embedded in antiferromagnetic iron oxide porous nanorods). We show as a proof-of-concept that aqueous colloidal suspensions containing these particles show enhanced-proton relaxivities (i.e., enhanced MRI contrast capabilities). A remarkable feature of this new design is that large scale production is possible since aqueous-based routes are used, and porosity and iron oxide superparamagnetic clusters are directly developed from a single phase. We have also proved with the help of a simple model that the physical basis behind the increase in relaxivities lies on both the increase of dipolar field (interactions within iron oxide clusters) and the decrease of proton-cluster distance (porosity favors the close contact between protons and clusters). Finally, a list of possible steps to follow to enhance capabilities of this contrast agent is also included (partial coating with noble metals to add extra sensing capacity and chemical functionality, to increase the amount of doping while simultaneously carrying out cytotoxicity studies, or to find conditions to further decrease the size of the nanorods and to enhance their stability).
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available