TY - JOUR T1 - The one-step synthesis and surface functionalization of dumbbell-like gold-iron oxide nanoparticles: a chitosan-based nanotheranostic system. JF - Chem Commun (Camb) Y1 - 2016 A1 - Kostevsek, Nina A1 - Locatelli, Erica A1 - Garrovo, Chiara A1 - Arena, Francesca A1 - Monaco, Ilaria A1 - Nikolov, Ivaylo Petrov A1 - Sturm, Saso A1 - Zuzek Rozman, Kristina A1 - Lorusso, Vito A1 - Giustetto, Pierangela A1 - Bardini, Paola A1 - Biffi, Stefania A1 - Comes Franchini, Mauro AB -

The first one-step synthesis of dumbbell-like gold-iron oxide nanoparticles has been reported here. Surface functionalization with a biocompatible chitosan matrix allowed us to obtain a novel targetable diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

VL - 52 IS - 2 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26524586?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping and microscopy to follow hepatic disposition of a Gd-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. JF - Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol Y1 - 2011 A1 - Delfino, Riccarda A1 - Altissimo, Matteo A1 - Menk, Ralf Hendrik A1 - Alberti, Roberto A1 - Klatka, Tomasz A1 - Frizzi, Tommaso A1 - Longoni, Antonio A1 - Salomè, Murielle A1 - Tromba, Giuliana A1 - Arfelli, Fulvia A1 - Clai, Milan A1 - Vaccari, Lisa A1 - Lorusso, Vito A1 - Tiribelli, Claudio A1 - Pascolo, Lorella KW - Animals KW - Contrast Media KW - Fatty Liver KW - Female KW - Gadolinium KW - Hepatitis KW - Iron KW - Liver KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging KW - Mice KW - Mice, Inbred CBA KW - Organometallic Compounds KW - Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission AB -

1. Spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation is a technique that allows imaging and quantification of chemical elements in biological specimens with high sensitivity. In the present study, we applied XRF techniques at a macro and micro level to carry out drug distribution studies on ex vivo models to confirm the hepatobiliary disposition of the Gd-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent B22956/1. 2. Gd presence was selectively quantified allowing the determination of the time dependent disappearance of the drug from blood and its hepatic accumulation in mice after administration. Elemental mapping highlighted the drug distribution differences between healthy and diseased livers. XRF microanalyses showed that in CCl(4) -induced hepatitis, B22956/1 has greatly reduced hepatic accumulation, shown as a 20-fold reduction of Gd presence. Furthermore, a significant increase of Fe presence was found in steatotic compared with healthy livers, in line with the disease features. 3. The present results show that XRF might be useful in preclinical pharmacological studies with drugs containing exogenous elements. Furthermore, quantitative and high-sensitivity elemental mapping allows simultaneous detection of chemical variation, showing pathological conditions. This approach was useful in suggesting reduced B22956/1 accumulation in steatotic livers, thus opening possible new diagnostic perspectives for this drug.

VL - 38 IS - 12 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21957877?dopt=Abstract ER -