Boron nitride nanotubes radiolabeled with 99mTc: Preparation, physicochemical characterization, biodistribution study, and scintigraphic imaging in Swiss mice

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics 2012-02, Vol.423 (2), p.489-495
• Main Authors: Soares, Daniel Crístian Ferreira, Ferreira, Tiago Hilário, Ferreira, Carolina de Aguiar, Cardoso, Valbert Nascimento, de Sousa, Edésia Martins Barros
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biodistribution study and scintigraphic image; Boron; Boron Compounds - administration & dosage; Boron Compounds - chemistry; Boron Compounds - pharmacokinetics; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Digestive tract; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Drugs; Excretion; Functionalized boron nitride nanotubes; Gastrointestinal Tract - diagnostic imaging; Gastrointestinal Tract - metabolism; I.R. spectroscopy; image analysis; imaging; in vivo studies; infrared spectroscopy; Injections, Intravenous; Kidney; Kidney - diagnostic imaging; Kidney - metabolism; Lasers; Liver; Liver - diagnostic imaging; Liver - metabolism; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; nanocarriers; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Particle Size; Physicochemical characterization; polymers; Radioisotopes; radiolabeling; Radionuclide Imaging; radionuclides; Renal function; Scanning electron microscopy; scintigraphy; Size distribution; Spectroscopy; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spleen; Spleen - diagnostic imaging; Spleen - metabolism; Technetium - administration & dosage; Technetium - chemistry; Technetium - pharmacokinetics; Technology, Pharmaceutical - methods; Thermogravimetry; Tissue Distribution; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.12.002

In the present study, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were synthesized from an innovative process and functionalized with a glycol chitosan polymer in CDTN (Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear) laboratories. As a means of studying their in vivo biodistribution behavior, these nanotubes were radiolabeled with 99mTc and injected in mice. Their size, distribution, and homogeneity were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), while their zeta potential was determined by laser Doppler anemometry. The morphology and structural organization were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The functionalization in the nanotubes was evaluated by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that BNNTs were obtained and functionalized successfully, reaching a mean size and dispersity deemed adequate for in vivo studies. The BNNTs were also evaluated by ex vivo biodistribution studies and scintigraphic imaging in healthy mice. The results showed that nanostructures, after 24h, having accumulated in the liver, spleen and gut, and eliminated via renal excretion. The findings from this study reveal a potential application of functionalized BNNTs as new potential drugs or radioisotope nanocarriers to be applied in therapeutic procedures.