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Liposomes Coloaded with Iopamidol/Lipiodol as a RES-Targeted Contrast Agent for Computed Tomography Imaging

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ABSTRACT

Purpose

The need for computed tomography (CT) of reticuloendothelial system (RES)-rich organs such as the liver is increasing, particularly in patients with suspected hepatic metastasis. CT images of the liver have been improved by encapsulating currently used, water-soluble iodine contrast agent in liposomes. The present study was performed to investigate a possibility to overcome the limitations of entrapped iodine in liposomes by preparing liposomes co-loaded with iopamidol, a water-soluble iodinated compound, and lipiodol, an iodized oil.

Methods

Iopamidol and lipiodol were simultaneously loaded in liposomes by modified reverse-phase evaporation method. The entrapped iodine concentration, mean particle size and polydispersity index of resulting liposomes were evaluated. Following intravenous injection of these liposomes into rats, CT scanning was performed.

Results

Simultaneous loading of iopamidol and lipiodol into liposomes resulted in entrapped iodine concentrations as high as 49.2 iodine mg/ml. The mean particle size was 280 nm, and the mean polydispersity index was 0.230. CT scanning with these iopamidol/lipiodol (I/L) liposomes into rats resulted in more pronounced and more persistent increases in RES-rich organs, liver and spleen, compared with free liposomes or liposomes loaded with iopamidol alone.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that I/L liposomes have the potential to allow thorough CT examination of RES-rich organs.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study was supported by a faculty research grant of Yonsei University College of Medicine (6-2008-225) to J.S. Lim.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Soonjae Kweon & Soo-Jeong Lim

  2. Department of Radiology, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Ho-Joon Lee, Jinsuk Suh & Joon Seok Lim

  3. Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Woo Jin Hyung

  4. Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Joon Seok Lim

Authors
  1. Soonjae Kweon
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  2. Ho-Joon Lee
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  3. Woo Jin Hyung
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  4. Jinsuk Suh
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  5. Joon Seok Lim
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  6. Soo-Jeong Lim
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Correspondence to Joon Seok Lim or Soo-Jeong Lim.

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Kweon, S., Lee, HJ., Hyung, W.J. et al. Liposomes Coloaded with Iopamidol/Lipiodol as a RES-Targeted Contrast Agent for Computed Tomography Imaging. Pharm Res 27, 1408–1415 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-010-0135-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-010-0135-5

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