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Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as ultrasound contrast agents.
Delogu, Lucia Gemma; Vidili, Gianpaolo; Venturelli, Enrica; Ménard-Moyon, Cécilia; Zoroddu, Maria Antonietta; Pilo, Giovannantonio; Nicolussi, Paola; Ligios, Ciriaco; Bedognetti, Davide; Sgarrella, Francesco; Manetti, Roberto; Bianco, Alberto.
Afiliação
  • Delogu LG; Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Sperimentale e Oncologica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy. lgdelogu@uniss.it
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 109(41): 16612-7, 2012 Oct 09.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23012426
ABSTRACT
Ultrasonography is a fundamental diagnostic imaging tool in everyday clinical practice. Here, we are unique in describing the use of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as hyperechogenic material, suggesting their potential application as ultrasound contrast agents. Initially, we carried out a thorough investigation to assess the echogenic property of the nanotubes in vitro. We demonstrated their long-lasting ultrasound contrast properties. We also showed that ultrasound signal of functionalized MWCNTs is higher than graphene oxide, pristine MWCNTs, and functionalized single-walled CNTs. Qualitatively, the ultrasound signal of CNTs was equal to that of sulfur hexafluoride (SonoVue), a commercially available contrast agent. Then, we found that MWCNTs were highly echogenic in liver and heart through ex vivo experiments using pig as an animal model. In contrast to the majority of ultrasound contrast agents, we observed in a phantom bladder that the tubes can be visualized within a wide variety of frequencies (i.e., 5.5-10 MHz) and 12.5 MHz using tissue harmonic imaging modality. Finally, we demonstrated in vivo in the pig bladder that MWCNTs can be observed at low frequencies, which are appropriate for abdominal organs. Importantly, we did not report any toxicity of CNTs after 7 d from the injection by animal autopsy, organ histology and immunostaining, blood count, and chemical profile. Our results reveal the enormous potential of CNTs as ultrasound contrast agents, giving support for their future applications as theranostic nanoparticles, combining diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
Assuntos

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ultrassonografia / Meios de Contraste / Nanotecnologia / Nanotubos de Carbono Tipo de estudo: Diagnostic_studies / Prognostic_studies Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Ano de publicação: 2012 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ultrassonografia / Meios de Contraste / Nanotecnologia / Nanotubos de Carbono Tipo de estudo: Diagnostic_studies / Prognostic_studies Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Ano de publicação: 2012 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália