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Published on: November 4, 2011
Characterization of ferucarbotran-loaded RBCs as long circulating magnetic contrast agents
Antonella Antonelli1, Carla Sfara1, Oliver Weber2
1Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy.
Aim:
The biomedical application of contrast agents based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is still limited because of their short intravascular half-life. The potential of red blood cells (RBCs) loaded with new ferucarbotran nanoparticles as magnetic contrast agents with longer blood retention time has been investigated.
Materials & Methods:
Ferucarbotran was loaded into RBCs by a procedure of hypotonic dialysis and isotonic resealing. Ferucarbotran amounts encapsulated in RBCs were determined by NMR. The survival of ferucarbotran-loaded RBCs and bulk ferucarbotran was evaluated in the mouse bloodstream.
Results:
Blood retention time of these RBC constructs is longer (∼14 days) than the bulk ferucarbotran (∼1 h) with a slower Fe clearance from liver and spleen.
Conclusion:
Ferucarbotran-loaded RBCs could be used as potential contrasting agents for diagnostic applications in MRI/magnetic particle imaging.
