A Novel Mesoporous Superparamagnetic Hybrid Silica/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite as MRI Contrast Agent

This paper introduces a novel magnetic hybrid silica/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite with a mesoporous structure, MSFeHA. The usefulness of the nanocomposite as an MRI T2 contrast agent was studied. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, VSM, TEM, SEM, and EDS-MAP. Then, the biocompatibility of the synthesized nanocomposite was studied by Brine shrimp Artemia lethality assay, red blood cell hemolysis assay, and MTT assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and HFF-2 normal cell line. ICP-OES results indicate that the highest bioaccumulation of MSFeHA nanocomposite has occurred within the liver and, between 4 to 24 hours after administration of MSFeHA. The amount of bioaccumulation within the studied organs decreased over time, which suggests that the nanocomposite biodegradation and excretion process became started. Furthermore, in vitro MRI studies reveal that MSFeHA nanocomposite has the potential to be an MRI T2 contrast agent (r(2)=106.6 ms).

Automated summary

A novel magnetic hybrid silica/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite, MSFeHA, was successfully synthesized and studied as an MRI T2 contrast agent. The biocompatibility and bioaccumulation of the nanocomposite were evaluated through a series of experiments, showing potential clinical application value.