Center for Biofluid and Biomimic Research, Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea.
Acta Biomater. 2011 May;7(5):2139-47. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.01.015. Epub 2011 Jan 15.
In situ monitoring of a biofluid can provide important information on circulatory disorders and a basic understanding on the metabolic mechanisms of living organisms. X-ray imaging has significant advantages as one of the most popular diagnostic tools to seethrough various biological systems. Particle traced velocity field measurement is one of the most popular methods for quantitative analysis of dynamic flow motion. In this study we have developed chitosan microparticles incorporating gold nanoparticles (AuNP) as a new enhanced contrast flow tracer for dynamic X-ray imaging. Gold is a useful material possessing high X-ray absorption ability and also biocompatibility. We chose chitosan as an AuNP delivery system because it can effectively trap AuNPs at high yield. In particular, the unique gold ion reduction ability of and compatibility with surface-modified chitosans are effectively utilized. The physical properties of the Au-chitosan microparticles can be controlled by varying the molecular weight of the chitosan employed and the AuNP incorporation methodology. The environment of the particles and the type of applied X-ray essentially determine the imaging efficiency. The designed chitosan microparticles incorporating Au have been successfully applied to track the digestive mechanisms occurring in delicate insects such as live mosquitoes.
在体监测生物流体可以提供有关循环障碍的重要信息，并对生物体的代谢机制有基本的了解。X 射线成像是一种最受欢迎的诊断工具之一，可用于透视各种生物系统。粒子示踪速度场测量是定量分析动态流动运动的最流行方法之一。在这项研究中，我们开发了壳聚糖微球，其中掺入了金纳米粒子（AuNP），作为用于动态 X 射线成像的新型增强对比示踪剂。金是一种有用的材料，具有高的 X 射线吸收能力和生物相容性。我们选择壳聚糖作为 AuNP 的递送系统，因为它可以有效地以高产率捕获 AuNP。特别是，表面修饰壳聚糖的独特的金离子还原能力和兼容性得到了有效利用。Au-壳聚糖微球的物理性质可以通过改变所用壳聚糖的分子量和 AuNP 掺入方法来控制。颗粒的环境和所应用的 X 射线的类型基本上决定了成像效率。设计的掺入 Au 的壳聚糖微球已成功应用于跟踪发生在精细昆虫（如活蚊子）中的消化机制。
