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Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Glycosylated Gd3+-Based Silica Nanoprobe

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Abstract

Purpose

Early stage diseases diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques is of high global interest as a potent noninvasive modality. MRI contrast agents are improved through modifications in structural and physicochemical properties of the applied nanoprobes. But, the potential toxic effects of nanoprobes upon exposure to biological systems are still a major concern.

Procedure

In this study, the acute toxicity of glycosylated Gd3+-based silica mesoporous nanospheres (GSNs) as a MRI contrast agent was evaluated in Balb/c mice. In order to evaluate in vivo toxicity of GSN, preclinical studies, daily weight monitoring, hematological/blood chemistry tests, and histological assessment were conducted. Magnetic resonance relaxivities of GSN was determined using a MRI scanner.

Results

The obtained results suggest that in vivo toxicity of GSN was mostly influenced by nanoparticle surface area, functionality, and nanoparticle zeta potential. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) increased in the following order: mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) at 1 mg/mice < GSN (aspect ratio 1, 2, 8) at 40 mg/mice. The results also indicate GSN, one of the best cell imaging contrast agent, which does not show any significant toxicity on multiple vital organs following injection of 20 mg/mice, while a significant T1-weighted enhancement was observed in whole body of a Balb/c mice 15 min postinjection of (5 μmol/kg) of body weight of GSN.

Conclusions

These results shed light on the functionality of MSNs to minimize in vivo toxicity. Also, glyconanoprobe can be beneficially used for nanomedicine and cellular imaging applications without any significant toxicity.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Abazar Hosseini at Iran University of Medical Sciences for advising on histological sample analysis. Furthermore, financial support was provided by Iran University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Bita Mehravi, Mojdeh Mohseni & Neda Iranpour Anaraki

  2. Nanofanavri Kian Gostar Company, Roshd Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Bita Mehravi & Khadijeh Ashtari

  3. Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Bita Mehravi, Khadijeh Ashtari & Elham Afjeh Dana

  4. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Bita Mehravi

  5. Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Mohammad Alizadeh, Saeed Khodayari & Hamid Khodayari

  6. Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Sepideh Safari

  7. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Design and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Massoud Amanlou

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  1. Bita Mehravi
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Correspondence to Bita Mehravi or Massoud Amanlou.

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Mehravi, B., Alizadeh, A.M., Khodayari, S. et al. Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Glycosylated Gd3+-Based Silica Nanoprobe. Mol Imaging Biol 19, 522–530 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-016-1025-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-016-1025-y

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