Synthesis of 68Ga Core-doped Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Dual Positron Emission Tomography /(T1)Magnetic Resonance Imaging

J Vis Exp. 2018 Nov 20:(141). doi: 10.3791/58269.

Abstract

Here, we describe a microwave synthesis to obtain iron oxide nanoparticles core-doped with 68Ga. Microwave technology enables fast and reproducible synthetic procedures. In this case, starting from FeCl3 and citrate trisodium salt, iron oxide nanoparticles coated with citric acid are obtained in 10 min in the microwave. These nanoparticles present a small core size of 4.2 ± 1.1 nm and a hydrodynamic size of 7.5 ± 2.1 nm. Moreover, they have a high longitudinal relaxivity (r1) value of 11.9 mM-1·s-1 and a modest transversal relaxivity value (r2) of 22.9 mM-1·s-1, which results in a low r2/r1 ratio of 1.9. These values enable positive contrast generation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of negative contrast, commonly used with iron oxide nanoparticles. In addition, if a 68GaCl3 elution from a 68Ge/68Ga generator is added to the starting materials, a nano-radiotracer doped with 68Ga is obtained. The product is obtained with a high radiolabeling yield (> 90%), regardless of the initial activity used. Furthermore, a single purification step renders the nano-radiomaterial ready to be used in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media / chemical synthesis
  • Ferric Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • ferric oxide