Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 99mTc-Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Potential Radiopharmaceutical for Liver Imaging

Nanoparticles are generally cleared by the reticuloendothelial system, taken up by Kupffer cells in liver. This principle can be used for liver imaging. Chitosan is an excellent biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. In this study, the authors synthesized Tc-99m-chitosan nanoparticles and evaluated its potential for liver imaging. Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and radiolabeled with Tc-99m. The labeling efficiency, stability, biodistribution, and imaging study in the normal mice was performed. Biodistribution and imaging studies demonstrated an efficient accumulation of the radiolabeled nanoparticles in the mice liver and indicated the Tc-99m-chitosan nanoparticles may be considered as a promising radiopharmaceutical for liver imaging.