Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to prepare and characterize superparamagnetic iron oxide-polyethylene glycol-chlorotoxin(SPIO-PEG-CTX) nanoparticles and validate their magnetic resonance imaging properties in vitro.

Materials and Methods: SPIO (superparamagnetic iron oxide) was prepared using the coprecipitation method by dropping a solution of ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) in a molar ratio of 2:1 to the alkaline solution (OH^-). The SPIO was modified with PEG (polyethylene glycol) and CTX (chlorotoxin) on the surface. The particle size and its distribution were analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer, and the core shape was studied using transmission electron microscopy. 3.0T MRI was performed on the SPIO and SPIO-PEG-CTX solutions.

Results: The particle sizes of SPIO and SPIO modified by PEG-silane were between 20 nm and 35 nm with a uniform configuration. In vitro magnetic resonance signals of the SPIO and SPIO-PEG-CTX solution had the same variations. With increasing concentrations of the solutions, the signal intensity increased at T1WI, but decreased at T2WI.

Conclusion: SPIO-PEG-CTX nanoparticles were prepared and analyzed using in vitro MRI, which provided the theoretical basis for further study of the nanoparticles for use in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords: Superparamagnetic iron oxide, superparamagnetic nanoparticle, chlorotoxin, magnetic resonance imaging, hepatocellular carcinoma, early diagnosis.

Graphical Abstract