Dual Radiolabeling as a Technique to Track Nanocarriers: The Case of Gold Nanoparticles
Clinton Rambanapasi,
Nicola Barnard,
Anne Grobler,
Hylton Buntting,
Molahlehi Sonopo,
David Jansen,
Anine Jordaan,
Hendrik Steyn,
Jan Rijn Zeevaart
Affiliations
Clinton Rambanapasi
DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Nicola Barnard
DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Anne Grobler
DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Hylton Buntting
DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Molahlehi Sonopo
Radiochemistry Department, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (SOC) Ltd., P. O. Box 482, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
David Jansen
Radiochemistry Department, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (SOC) Ltd., P. O. Box 482, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Anine Jordaan
Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Chemical Resources Beneficiation Group, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Hendrik Steyn
Statistical Consultation Services, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Jan Rijn Zeevaart
DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have shown great potential for use in nanomedicine and nanotechnologies due to their ease of synthesis and functionalization. However, their apparent biocompatibility and biodistribution is still a matter of intense debate due to the lack of clear safety data. To investigate the biodistribution of AuNPs, monodisperse 14-nm dual-radiolabeled [14C]citrate-coated [198Au]AuNPs were synthesized and their physico-chemical characteristics compared to those of non-radiolabeled AuNPs synthesized by the same method. The dual-radiolabeled AuNPs were administered to rats by oral or intravenous routes. After 24 h, the amounts of Au core and citrate surface coating were quantified using gamma spectroscopy for 198Au and liquid scintillation for the 14C. The Au core and citrate surface coating had different biodistribution profiles in the organs/tissues analyzed, and no oral absorption was observed. We conclude that the different components of the AuNPs system, in this case the Au core and citrate surface coating, did not remain intact, resulting in the different distribution profiles observed. A better understanding of the biodistribution profiles of other surface attachments or cargo of AuNPs in relation to the Au core is required to successfully use AuNPs as drug delivery vehicles.
