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Updated: May 30, 2026

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Simple hybrid polymeric nanostructures encapsulating macro-cyclic Gd/Eu based complexes: luminescence properties and
Marjorie Yon1, Lucie Esmangard1, Morgane Enel2
1Laboratoire Softmat, University of Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, University Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, France, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. jean-daniel.marty@univ-tlse3.fr.
Abstract:
Lanthanide-based macrocycles are successfully incorporated into hybrid polyionic complexes, formed by adding a mixture of zirconium ions to a solution of a double-hydrophilic block copolymer. The resulting nanoobjects with an average radius of approximately 10-15 nm present good colloidal and chemical stability in physiological media even in the presence of competing ions such as phosphate or calcium ions. The final optical and magnetic properties of these objects benefit from both their colloidal nature and the specific properties of the complexes. Hence these new nanocarriers exhibit enhanced T1 MRI contrast, when administered intravenously to mice.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...

