International Journal of Nanomedicine (Nov 2019)
MRI Detectable Polymer Microspheres Embedded With Magnetic Ferrite Nanoclusters For Embolization: In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation
Abstract
Xiao-Ya Qin,1,2,* Xiao-Xin Liu,1,2,* Zi-Yuan Li,1,2 Li-Ying Guo,1,2 Zhuo-Zhao Zheng,3 Hai-Tao Guan,4 Li Song,4 Ying-Hua Zou,4 Tian-Yuan Fan1,2 1The State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Tian-Yuan FanDepartment of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Xueyuan Road No.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/fax +86 10 8280 5123Email [email protected]: The objective of this study was to develop magnetic embolic microspheres that could be visualized by clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners aiming to improve the efficiency and safety of embolotherapy.Methods and discussion: Magnetic ferrite nanoclusters (FNs) were synthesized with microwave-assisted solvothermal method, and their morphology, particle size, crystalline structure, magnetic properties as well as T2 relaxivity were characterized to confirm the feasibility of FNs as an MRI probe. Magnetic polymer microspheres (FNMs) were then produced by inverse suspension polymerization with FNs embedded inside. The physicochemical and mechanical properties (including morphology, particle size, infrared spectra, elasticity, etc.) of FNMs were investigated, and the magnetic properties and MRI detectable properties of FNMs were also assayed by vibrating sample magnetometer and MRI scanners. Favorable biocompatibility and long-term MRI detectability of FNMs were then studied in mice by subcutaneous injection. FNMs were further used to embolize rabbits’ kidneys to evaluate the embolic property and detectability by MRI.Conclusion: FNMs could serve as a promising MRI-visualized embolic material for embolotherapy in the future.Keywords: polymerized microspheres, magnetic ferrite nanoclusters, magnetic resonance imaging, embolization, microwave-assisted solvothermal method
