Fabrication and Characterization of Gd-DTPA-Loaded Chitosan-Poly(Acrylic Acid) Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Gd-DTPA-loaded chitosan-poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles (Gd-DTPA@CS-PAA NPs) were formulated based on the reaction system of water-soluble polymer-monomer pairs of acrylic acid in chitosan solution followed by sorption of Gd-DTPA. Morphological investigations revealed the spherical shape of these NPs with about 220 nm particle size. These NPs showed charge reversal characteristic in acidic solution. In vitro and in vivo magnetic characteristics of these NPs were explored to estimate their utilization in targeted enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Relaxation studies showed that these NPs possessed pH susceptible relaxation properties, which could introduce in vivo-specific distribution of contrast agent. MRI experiment showed that these nanoparticles had better results in contrast enhancement, and the concentration of contrast agent increased in liver and brain with increment in time. Thus, these NPs could maintain in vivo long circulation and high relaxation rate and were suitable agents for magnetic resonance imaging.