Elsevier

Materials Science and Engineering: C

Volume 56, 1 November 2015, Pages 181-188
Materials Science and Engineering: C

Synthesis, characterization, and biodistribution studies of 99mTc-labeled SBA-16 mesoporous silica nanoparticles

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2015.06.030Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Silica mesoporous nanoparticles were successfully prepared.

  • Functionalization with DTPA was achieved.

  • High radiolabeled yields and in vitro stability were reached.

  • Biodistribution and scintigraphic images were performed.

Abstract

Along with anti-cancer drug delivery researches, many efforts have been done to develop new tracers for diagnostic applications. Based on advances in molecular imaging, nanoparticles can be used to visualize, characterize and measure biological process at molecular and cellular level. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to synthesize, characterize and radiolabeled mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for in vivo applications. The nanoparticles were synthesized, functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and then, anchored with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Particles were physicochemical characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and zeta potential, and were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results indicate that functionalization process was successfully achieved. Next, functionalized silica nanoparticles were radiolabeled with technetium-99m showing high radiochemical yields and high radiolabeled stability. These findings allow the use of the particles for in vivo applications. Biodistribution and scintigraphic images were carried out in healthy mice in order to determine the fate of the particles. Results from in vivo experiments showed high uptake by liver, as expected due to phagocytosis. However, particles also showed a significant uptake in the lungs, indicated by high lung-to-non-target tissue ratio. In summary, taking into account the great potential of these silica mesoporous structures to carry molecules this platform could be a good strategy for theranostic purposes.

Keywords

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Scintigraphic imaging
Diagnosis
Radiolabeled nanoparticles
Technetium-99m
SBA-16

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