Modified Bismuth Nanoparticles: A New Targeted Nanoprobe for Computed Tomography Imaging of Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Recently, development of multifunctional contrast agent for effective targeted molecular computedtomography (CT) imaging of cancer cells stays a major problem. In this study, we explain the ability of Triptorelinpeptide-targeted multifunctional bismuth nanoparticles (Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs) for molecular CT imaging.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the formed nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPswas characterized using different methods. The MTT cytotoxicity test was performed to determine the appropriateconcentration of nanoparticles in the MCF-7 cells. The X-ray attenuation intensity and Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) oftargeted and non-targeted nanoparticles were measured at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 μg/ml and X-ray tubevoltages of 90, 120 and 140 kVp.Results: We showed that the formed Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs with a Bi core size of approximately ~8.6 nm are nontoxicin a given concentration (0-200 μg/ml). At 90, 120, and 140 tube potentials (kVp), the X-ray attenuation of targeted cells were1.35, 1.36, and 1.33-times, respectively, more than non-targeted MCF-7cells at the concentration of 75 μg/ml. The CNRvalues at 90, 120, and 140 kVp tube potentials were 171.5, 153.8 and 146.3 c/ϭ, respectively.Conclusion: These findings propose that the diagnostic nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs can be appliedas a good contrast medium for molecular CT techniques.

Keywords

• ct contrast agents
• molecular imaging
• targeted imaging
• triptorelin