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CT visualization of blood pool in rats by using long-circulating, iodine-containing micelles
V P Torchilin1, M D Frank-Kamenetsky, G L Wolf
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, USA.
Rationale And Objectives:
Small, long-circulating particulate carriers of contrast agents, such as micelles, are potentially useful in computed tomographic (CT) blood-pool imaging. An iodine-containing amphiphilic block-copolymer consisting of iodine-substituted poly-L-lysine (MPEG-iodolysine) forms micelles in an aqueous solution. The biodistribution and CT depiction of these radiopaque micelles were therefore studied in rats.
Materials And Methods:
MPEG-iodolysine micelles were synthesized and injected into rats via the tail vein at a dose of 170 mg iodine per kilogram. Three animals were used, and tissue enhancement was followed on serial CT scans.
Results:
MPEG-iodolysine block-copolymer forms particulates with an average diameter of 80 nm and an iodine content of 33.8%. After intravenous injection into rats, the agent produced noticeable and sustained enhancement of the blood pool (aorta and heart), liver, and spleen for least 3 hours.
Conclusion:
In rats, MPEG-iodolysine micelles were a long-lived blood-pool contrast agent useful for CT.