Computed Tomography Imaging Agents Research Articles

Fabrication of high-fluorescence composite nanoparticles of gold nanoclusters and calcium phosphate for macrophage imaging

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have great potential as a dual-modal fluorescence/X-ray computed tomography imaging agent. Herein, we fabricated composite nanoparticles of glutathione (GSH)-capped AuNCs and calcium phosphate (CaP), Au–CaP nanoparticles, via coprecipitation in highly supersaturated CaP solutions containing various concentrations of GSH-capped AuNCs. The resulting nanoparticles were nearly spherical in shape and immobilized high amounts of GSH-capped AuNCs dispersed within the CaP matrix. The Au–CaP nanoparticles decreased in size (from ∼250 to ∼50 nm in hydrodynamic diameter) and increased in Au content (Au/Ca elemental ratio) with an increase in initial Au concentration of the supersaturated CaP solution. The Au–CaP nanoparticles showed good dispersibility in water owing to the relatively large negative zeta potentials (from −18 to −15 mV). Additionally, the Au–CaP nanoparticles showed much higher (from 33- to 140-fold) fluorescence intensities (per one mole of Au atom) than free GSH-capped AuNCs. The Au–CaP nanoparticles fluorescently labeled macrophage cells (RAW264.7) more efficiently than free GSH-capped AuNCs without exhibiting significant cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the Au–CaP nanoparticles have potential as an imaging agent for macrophage cells.

Computed Tomography Imaging Agent Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Internal Iliac Artery Embolization after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair and CCN3 Protection Mechanism

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is more stressful and has more complications in many diseases. During treatment and repair, arteriosclerosis, abdominal congestion deposition, and abdominal swelling cannot be eliminated. In this paper, we used the seed growth method to obtain gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with good morphology and dispersion. The AuNPs of larger aspect ratio synthesized in this experiment moved their longitudinal plasmon resonance absorption peak to the near-infrared region, which provided suitable materials for subsequent experiments and laid the foundation for the photothermal therapy of tumors. Experiments show that near-infrared rays can penetrate into deep tissues to overcome the shortcomings that visible light cannot penetrate abdominal aorta well. AuNPs absorb near-infrared rays, thereby generating heat energy to achieve the purpose of treating tumors. In addition, AuNPs also have fluorescent properties, combined with other forms of imaging methods, to achieve the purpose of multimodal imaging, and improve the diagnostic accuracy of studying the protection mechanism of the nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV or CCN3) gene.

Folic Acid-Conjugated Gold Nanostars for Computed Tomography Imaging and Photothermal/Radiation Combined Therapy

Fabrication of multifunctional nanoprobes, which integrate tumor targeting, imaging, and effective treatment, has been widely explored in nanomedicine. In the present study, we fabricated tumor-targeting polymer folic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol thiol-modified gold nanostars (GNS-FA), which could realize X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging and PTT/RT synergistic therapy. The synthesized GNS-FA exhibited good biocompatibility. GNS-FA could be used as a CT imaging contrast agent due to the strong X-ray attenuation of Au. GNS-FA exhibited good near-infrared (NIR) light absorption and excellent photothermal conversion performance, making them promising photothermal transduction agents (PTAs). Furthermore, GNS-FA could be used as an RT sensitizer to enhance the radio-mediated cell death due to the high atomic number (high Z) of gold. Hence, GNS-FA were used as the CT imaging agent, PTA, and radiosensitizer in this work. The in vitro antitumor experiments showed that the PTT/RT combined treatment had enhanced anticancer efficacy compared with the monotherapy (PTT or RT). Our results indicated that the bioconjugated GNS could offer an excellent nanoplatform for CT imaging-guided PTT/RT combined cancer therapy in the future.

Gram-scale synthesis of a neodymium chelate as a spectral CT and second near-infrared window imaging agent for visualizing the gastrointestinal tract in vivo.

The diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases is frequently performed in the clinic, so it is crucial to develop high-performance contrast agents for real-time and non-invasive imaging examination of the GI tract. Herein, we show a novel method to synthesize a neodymium (Nd) chelate, Nd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Nd-DTPA), on a large scale without byproducts for spectral computed tomography (CT) and second near-infrared window imaging of the GI tract in vivo. The Nd-DTPA was simply generated by heating the mixture of Nd2O3 and DTPA in water at 85 °C for 2 h. This dual-modal imaging agent has the advantages of a simple and green synthesis route, no need of purification process, high yield (86.24%), large-scale production capability (>10 g in lab synthesis), good chemical stability and excellent water solubility (≈2 g mL-1). Moreover, the Nd-DTPA emitted strong near-infrared fluorescence at 1308 nm, and exhibited superior X-ray attenuation ability compared to clinical iohexol. The proposed Nd-DTPA can integrate the complementary merits of dual-modal imaging to realize spatial-temporal and highly sensitive imaging of the GI tract in vivo, and accurate diagnosis of the location of intestinal obstruction and monitor its recovery after surgery. The developed highly efficient method for the gram-scale synthesis of Nd-DTPA and the proposed spectral CT and second near-infrared window dual-modal imaging strategy provide a promising route for accurate visualization of the GI tract in vivo.

Engineering two-dimensional silicene composite nanosheets for dual-sensitized and photonic hyperthermia-augmented cancer radiotherapy

The rapid development of nanotechnology has triggered the emerging of tremendous theranostic nanoplatforms for combating cancers. Silicene, as an emerging two-dimensional (2D) material, has been recently explored as therapeutic agent due to their desirable biodegradation and strong photothermal-conversion performance. However, the rational design of silicene-based composites for further exerting multifunctional medical applications is still highly challenging. Herein, we report on the construction of silicene-based silicene@Pt composite nanosheets for computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging-guided dual-sensitized radiotherapy combined with photonic tumor hyperthermia, which has been achieved by a seed-growth approach to in situ grow Pt components onto silicene nanosheets’ surface. Especially, by functionalization of Pt components, these nanosheets could act as both contrast agents for CT imaging and dual radio-sensitizing agents for radiotherapy, which could deposit Pt-involved radiation energy (sensitized therapeutic process I) and overcome hypoxia-associated radio-resistance by Pt-catalytic O2 generation from overexpressed H2O2 within the tumor microenvironment (sensitized therapeutic process II). The strong photothermal-conversion performance of silicene nanosheets not only endowed silicene@Pt composite nanosheets with photoacoustic imaging property, but also realized the photonic tumor hyperthermia and achieved a combined therapeutic effect with radiotherapy. This work not only broadens the biomedical applications of silicene, but also develops functionalization strategies of silicene for versatile biomedical applications.

Ultrasmall Ag2Te Quantum Dots with Rapid Clearance for Amplified Computed Tomography Imaging and Augmented Photonic Tumor Hyperthermia.

With the fast development of nanomedicine, the imaging-guided and photo-induced cancer monotherapies can efficiently eliminate tumor lesions, which are strongly dependent on the construction of versatile theranostic nanoplatforms. Among diverse photo-converting nanoplatforms, silver chalcogenide nanoparticles feature high biocompatibility, narrow band gaps, and tunable optical properties, yet Ag2Te-based nanosystems are still at a proof-of-concept stage, and the exploration of Ag2Te-based nanosystems suitable for photonic tumor hyperthermia is challenging. Herein, we report on the construction of versatile ultrasmall Ag2Te quantum dots (QDs) via a facile biomineralization strategy. Especially, these Ag2Te QDs with negligible toxicity and excellent biocompatibility were developed for X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging-guided photonic tumor hyperthermia by near-infrared (NIR) activation. The fabricated Ag2Te QDs exhibited a high tumor suppression rate (94.3%) on 4T1 breast tumor animal models due to the high photothermal-conversion efficiency (50.5%). Mechanistically, Ag2Te QDs were promising potential CT imaging agents for imaging guidance and monitoring during photonic hyperthermia. Importantly, Ag2Te QDs were rapidly eliminated from the body via feces and urine because of their ultrasmall sizes. This work not only broadens the biomedical applications of silver chalcogenide-based theranostic nanosystems but also provides the paradigm of theranostic nanosystems with a photonic tumor hyperthermia effect and outstanding contrast enhancement of high-performance CT imaging.

Multifunctional Dendrimer-Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated with Doxorubicin for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery and Targeted Computed Tomography Imaging.

Novel theranostic nanocarriers exhibit a desirable potential to treat diseases based on their ability to achieve targeted therapy while allowing for real-time imaging of the disease site. Development of such theranostic platforms is still quite challenging. Herein, we present the construction of multifunctional dendrimer-based theranostic nanosystem to achieve cancer cell chemotherapy and computed tomography (CT) imaging with targeting specificity. Doxorubicin (DOX), a model anticancer drug, was first covalently linked onto the partially acetylated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5) prefunctionalized with folic acid (FA) through acid-sensitive cis-aconityl linkage to form G5·NHAc-FA-DOX conjugates, which were then entrapped with gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) to create dendrimer-entrapped Au NPs (Au DENPs). We demonstrate that the prepared DOX-Au DENPs possess an Au core size of 2.8 nm, have 9.0 DOX moieties conjugated onto each dendrimer, and are colloid stable under different conditions. The formed DOX-Au DENPs exhibit a pH-responsive release profile of DOX because of the cis-aconityl linkage, having a faster DOX release rate under a slightly acidic pH condition than under a physiological pH. Importantly, because of the coexistence of targeting ligand FA and Au core NPs as a CT imaging agent, the multifunctional DOX-loaded Au DENPs afford specific chemotherapy and CT imaging of FA receptor-overexpressing cancer cells. The constructed DOX-conjugated Au DENPs hold a promising potential to be utilized for simultaneous chemotherapy and CT imaging of various types of cancer cells.

Controlled construction of gold nanoparticles in situ from β-cyclodextrin based unimolecular micelles for in vitro computed tomography imaging

The development of nanomaterials as highly efficient contrast agents for tumor computed tomography (CT) imaging still remains a huge challenge. In this study, a novel and facile approach to fabricate unimolecular micelles-stablized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) without external reductant for in vitro targeted CT imaging was described. Amphiphilic 21-arm star-like polymers β-cyclodextrin-g-{poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate]} [β-CD-g-(PDMA-b-PHEMA-b-PPEGMA)] was firstly synthesized and proved to form unimolecular core-middle layer-shell-type micelles in water through experimental and computer simulation results. Taking advantage of the reducing groups of PDMA block, AuNPs were decorated in the micellar PDMA block because of the in situ reduction of gold ions, which were absorbed by the PDMA chains in the core layer with a narrow nanoparticle size distribution. This strategy could prevent aggregation of AuNPs, which were capable of being employing as a highly effective probe for specific CT imaging in vitro. Importantly, the β-CD-g-(PDMA-b-PHEMA-b-PPEGMA)/AuNPs incubated with HepG2 cells, displayed more intense X-ray attenuation property (>37%) than conventional iodine-based CT imaging agent (Omnipaque) and also possessed a satisfying cytocompatibility in the given concentration range. The facile fabrication procedures and the efficiency of CT imaging render the novel hybrid unimolecular micelles to become potent candidates for applications in tumor-targeted CT imaging.

Using Nanoparticles in Medicine for Liver Cancer Imaging.

One of the most important types of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the fifth most common cancer, and its correct diagnosis is very important. For the quick diagnosis of HCC, the use of nanoparticles is helpful. The major applications of nanoparticles are in medicine for organ imaging. Two methods of liver imaging are X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, we attempt to summarize some of the contrast agents used in imaging such as superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), various types of enhanced MRI for the liver, and nanoparticles like gold (AuNPs), which is used to develop novel CT imaging agents.

Multi modality of hollow tube Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles by using nonpolar solvent

Gd2O3:Eu3+ is useful material in physics, chemical and biomedicine which can be applied to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brightness, X-ray computed tomography (CT) as contrast agent and luminescence phenomenon as phosphor. In this paper, Gd2O3:Eu3+ was synthesized by one-step low cost solvothermal reaction with different ratio of solvents (De-ionized water (DI)/toluene (TL)). The alteration of solvent ratios affects the morphology (rod to hollow tube shape) and size of Gd2O3:Eu3+ which induce the property variation such as luminescence intensity, MR imaging and CT imaging brightness. The luminescence intensity of Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles with DI 40/TL 0 is much higher than the 1.48, 1.68, 1.73 and 1.75 times by others (DI 0/TL 40, DI 10/TL 30, DI 20/TL 20 and DI 30/TL 10), MR images of Gd2O3:Eu3+ with DI 0/TL 40 were shown to be 2.5 times brighter than that of the commercial contrast agent (Dotarem) and CT images of Gd2O3:Eu3+ with DI 0/TL 40 was 1.68 times brighter than Dotarem. Gd2O3:Eu3+ prepared with different solvent ratios can be selectively applied for potential applications as MRI, CT and FI multimodal imaging agent.

Graphene Oxide/Ag Nanoparticles Cooperated with Simvastatin as a High Sensitive X-Ray Computed Tomography Imaging Agent for Diagnosis of Renal Dysfunctions.

Graphene oxides (GO) are attracting much attention in the diagnosis and therapy of the subcutaneous tumor as a novel biomaterial, but its diagnosis to tissue dysfunction is yet to be found. Here, a novel application of GO for diagnosis of renal dysfunction via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is proposed. In order to serve as contrast-enhanced agent, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) are composited on the surface of GO to promote its X-ray absorption, and then simvastatin is coinjected for eliminating in vivo toxicity induced by AgNPs. It is found that GO/AgNPs can enhance the imaging of CT into the lung, liver, and kidney of mice for a long circulation time (≈24 h) and a safety profile in vivo in the presence of simvastatin. Interestingly, the lower dose of GO/AgNPs (≈0.5 mg per kg bw) shows an excellent performance for CT imaging of renal perfusion, and visually exhibits the right renal dysfunction in model mice. Hence, this work suggests that graphene nanoparticles will play a vital role for the future medical translational development including drug carrier, biosensing, and disease therapy.

A Functional CT Contrast Agent for In Vivo Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia.

Hypoxia, which has been well established as a key feature of the tumor microenvironment, significantly influences tumor behavior and treatment response. Therefore, imaging for tumor hypoxia in vivo is warranted. Although some imaging modalities for detecting tumor hypoxia have been developed, such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and optical imaging, these technologies still have their own specific limitations. As computed tomography (CT) is one of the most useful imaging tools in terms of availability, efficiency, and convenience, the feasibility of using a hypoxia-sensitive nanoprobe (Au@BSA-NHA) for CT imaging of tumor hypoxia is investigated, with emphasis on identifying different levels of hypoxia in two xenografts. The nanoprobe is composed of Au nanoparticles and nitroimidazole moiety which can be electively reduced by nitroreductase under hypoxic condition. In vitro, Au@BSA-NHA attain the higher cellular uptake under hypoxic condition. Attractively, after in vivo administration, Au@BSA-NHA can not only monitor the tumor hypoxic environment with CT enhancement but also detect the hypoxic status by the degree of enhancement in two xenograft tumors with different hypoxic levels. The results demonstrate that Au@BSA-NHA may potentially be used as a sensitive CT imaging agent for detecting tumor hypoxia.

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging Agents for Formyl Peptide Receptors 1 and 2

Formyl Peptide Receptors (FPR) 1 and 2 are key in the signalling pathway of inflammation, and are found on leucocytes in particular neutrophils. Inflammation is a major marker of many disease states in particular Ischaemia-reperfusion injury and atherosclerosis.1 Identifying cells with high expression of FPR1 and FPR2 is important in the diagnosis and therapy of these diseases. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is an incredibly sensitive imaging modality and ideal for imaging receptors on the surface of cells as they are only present in extremely low concentrations. Two peptides have been identified as targets for FPR1 and FPR2, cFLFLFK2 and WKYMVm3 respectively. cFLFLFK is a hexapeptide with cinnamoyl group at the c-terminus, which acts as an antagonist for FPR1. WKYMVm has been shown to have agonistic effect on FPR2. These two peptides have been modified with 99mTc chelates to give SPECT imaging agents for FPR1 and FPR2. The biological properties of the agents have been investigated so that they maintain specific binding to the FPR. The results obtain demonstrate that the FPRs (in particular FPR1 and FPR2) provide potential targets for visualising inflammation in disease. The research has been supported by the BBSRC and GE Healthcare.

Self-fabricated dextran-coated gold nanoparticles using pyrenyl dextran as a reducible stabilizer and their application as CT imaging agents for atherosclerosis

A facile method to produce dextran-coated gold nanoparticles (DGNPs) for atherosclerosis detection using computed tomography (CT) imaging is developed. DGNPs are prepared using only pyrenyl dextran as a reducible stabilizer chemically conjugated with hydroxyl groups of dextran and carboxyl groups of pyrenyl molecules, which can reduce gold ions to gold particles and stably form gold nanoparticles in the aqueous phase. The physical properties of DGNPs can be controlled by the reaction time. DGNPs, where gold particles were stably covered with dextran, exhibit targeting ability against inflammatory macrophages with the help of strong interactions between dextran on their surface and scavenger receptors in the macrophages with good biocompatibility without cell damage. From the in vivo studies, DGNPs can be used to accurately detect atherosclerosis via CT imaging.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonsteroidal-Linked M(CO)3+(M = 99mTc, Re) Compounds Based on the Androgen Receptor Targeting Molecule Flutamide

Androgen receptors are overexpressed in most primary and metastatic prostate cancers. A series of single photon emission computed tomography imaging agents (SPECT) utilizing the organometallic radioactive imaging species, fac-99mTc(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)+, were prepared on the basis of the structure of Flutamide, a potent nonsteroidal antiandrogen prostate cancer drug. Novel bifunctional chelate-linked Flutamide analogues were prepared using a newly developed universal alkylating reagent, 2-bromo-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-acetamide, 1. From compound 1, several ligands (i.e., cysteine 2, histidine 5, imidazole 3) were conjugated to the flutamide derivative to yield targeting ligands capable of either tridentate or monodentate coordination in a "2 + 1" complex. fac-Re(CO)(3)+ complexes were prepared and characterized with the functionalized conjugates to yield fac-Re(CO)(3)(2-amino-3-(1-(2-(4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl) propanoate), 4, fac-Re (CO)(3)(2-(S-cysteinyl)-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-acetamide), 6, and fac-Re(CO)(3)(picolinate)(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-acetamide), 7. The corresponding radioactive 99mTc analogues were prepared and stability studies of the radioactive compounds were also conducted.

IMPY, a potential β-amyloid imaging probe for detection of prion deposits in scrapie-infected mice

A potential single-photon emission computed tomography imaging agent for labeling of A beta plaques of Alzheimer's disease, IMPY (2-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)-6-iodo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine), would be effective in detection of prion amyloid deposits in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). In vitro autoradiographic studies were carried out with [125 I]IMPY on brain sections from scrapie-infected mice and age-matched controls. Competition study was performed to evaluate the prion deposit binding specificity with nonradioactive IMPY. Binding of [125 I]IMPY was observed in infected brain sections, while on age-matched control brain sections, there was no or very low labeling. Prion deposit binding was confirmed by histoblots with prion protein-specific monoclonal antibody 2D6. In the presence of nonradioactive IMPY, the binding of [125 I]IMPY was significantly inhibited in all regions studied. These findings indicate that IMPY can detect the prion deposits in vitro in scrapie-infected mice. Labeled with 123 I, this ligand may be useful to quantitate prion deposit burdens in TSEs by in vivo imaging.

2-(2′-((Dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-(fluoroalkoxy)-phenylthio)benzenamine Derivatives as Serotonin Transporter Imaging Agents

A novel series of ligands with substitutions at the 5-position on phenyl ring A and at the 4'-position on phenyl ring B of 2-(2'-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4'-(fluoroalkoxy)phenylthio)benzenamine (4'-2-fluoroethoxy derivatives 28-31 and 4'-3-fluoropropoxy derivatives 40-42) were prepared and tested as serotonin transporter (SERT) imaging agents. The new ligands displayed high binding affinities to SERT (Ki ranging from 0.03 to 1.4 nM). The corresponding 18F labeled compounds, which can be prepared readily, showed excellent brain uptake and retention after iv injection in rats. The hypothalamus region showed high uptake values between 0.74% and 2.2% dose/g at 120 min after iv injection. Significantly, the hypothalamus to cerebellum ratios (target to nontarget ratios) at 120 min were 7.8 and 7.7 for [18F]28 and [18F]40, respectively. The selective uptake and retention in the hypothalamus, which has a high concentration of SERT binding sites, demonstrated that [18F]28 and [18F]40 are promising positron emission computed tomography imaging agents for mapping SERT binding sites in the brain.

An X-ray computed tomography imaging agent based on long-circulating bismuth sulphide nanoparticles

Nanomaterials have become increasingly important in the development of new molecular probes for in vivo imaging, both experimentally and clinically. Nanoparticulate imaging probes have included semiconductor quantum dots, magnetic and magnetofluorescent nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles and nanoshells, among others. However, the use of nanomaterials for one of the most common imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT), has remained unexplored. Current CT contrast agents are based on small iodinated molecules. They are effective in absorbing X-rays, but non-specific distribution and rapid pharmacokinetics have rather limited their microvascular and targeting performance. Here we propose the use of a polymer-coated Bi(2)S(3) nanoparticle preparation as an injectable CT imaging agent. This preparation demonstrates excellent stability at high concentrations (0.25 M Bi(3+)), high X-ray absorption (fivefold better than iodine), very long circulation times (>2 h) in vivo and an efficacy/safety profile comparable to or better than iodinated imaging agents. We show the utility of these polymer-coated Bi(2)S(3) nanoparticles for enhanced in vivo imaging of the vasculature, the liver and lymph nodes in mice. These nanoparticles and their bioconjugates are expected to become an important adjunct to in vivo imaging of molecular targets and pathological conditions.

A new single-photon emission computed tomography imaging agent for serotonin transporters: [123I]IDAM, 5-iodo-2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)benzyl alcohol.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUELetterNEXTA New Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging Agent for Serotonin Transporters: [123I]IDAM, 5-Iodo-2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)benzyl AlcoholShunichi Oya, Mei-Ping Kung, Paul D. Acton, Mu, Catherine Hou, and Hank F. KungView Author Information Departments of Radiology and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Cite this: J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 3, 333–335Publication Date (Web):January 27, 1999Publication History Received3 December 1998Published online27 January 1999Published inissue 1 February 1999https://doi.org/10.1021/jm9806751Copyright © 1999 American Chemical SocietyRIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views292Altmetric-Citations49LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit Read OnlinePDF (61 KB) Get e-AlertsSupporting Info (1)»Supporting Information Supporting Information SUBJECTS:Biological imaging,Central nervous system,Neurophysiology,Screening assays,Single photon emission computed tomography Get e-Alerts

Polyiodinated triglyceride analogs as potential computed tomography imaging agents for the liver.

A series of glyceryl 2-oleoyl 1,3-bis[omega-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodophenyl)] alkanoates was synthesized, radioiodinated with iodine-125, emulsified, and evaluated for their ability to selectively localize in the liver for potential use as hepatographic agents in computed tomography. All seven analogs displayed rapid liver uptake wherein between 65 and 78% of the injected dose accumulated in the liver by 30 min. Liver values ranged from 46 to 93% 3 h after injection which corresponded to liver to blood ratios ranging from 21 to 450. Moreover, subsequent elimination of radioactivity from the liver was nearly linear with respect to alkyl chain length. Analogs with longer alkyl chain length were eliminated from the liver more rapidly than their shorter chain counterparts. Because of their biochemical similarities to naturally occurring triglycerides, these novel analogs may prove useful not only for high-resolution anatomic imaging of focal liver lesions, but also for evaluating a variety of diffuse diseases known to affect hepatic function and biochemistry.