Modified Bismuth Nanoparticles: A New Targeted Nanoprobe for Computed Tomography Imaging of Cancer

• Published in: Cell journal (Yakhteh) Vol. 24; no. 9; pp. 515 - 521
• Main Authors: Mohammadi, Milad, Khademi, Sara, Choghazrdi, Yazdan, Irajirad, Rasoul, Keshtkar, Mohammad, Montazerabadi, Alireza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran Royan Institute of Iran 01.09.2022; Royan Institute (ACECR), Tehran
• Subjects: Attenuation; Bismuth; Bismuth sulfides; Cancer; Computed tomography; Contrast agents; Contrast media; ct contrast agents; Cytotoxicity; Medical imaging; molecular imaging; Nanoparticles; targeted imaging; Tomography; Toxicity testing; triptorelin; X ray tubes
• DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.8348
• ISSN: 2228-5806

Objective: Recently, development of multifunctional contrast agent for effective targeted molecular computed tomography (CT) imaging of cancer cells stays a major problem. In this study, we explain the ability of Triptorelin peptide-targeted multifunctional bismuth nanoparticles (Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs) for molecular CT imaging. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the formed nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs was characterized using different methods. The MTT cytotoxicity test was performed to determine the appropriate concentration of nanoparticles in the MCF-7 cells. The X-ray attenuation intensity and Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) of targeted and non-targeted nanoparticles were measured at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 μg/ml and X-ray tube voltages of 90, 120 and 140 kVp. Results: We showed that the formed Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs with a Bi core size of approximately ~8.6 nm are nontoxic in a given concentration (0-200 μg/ml). At 90, 120, and 140 tube potentials (kVp), the X-ray attenuation of targeted cells were 1.35, 1.36, and 1.33-times, respectively, more than non-targeted MCF-7cells at the concentration of 75 μg/ml. The CNR values at 90, 120, and 140 kVp tube potentials were 171.5, 153.8 and 146.3 c/ϭ, respectively. Conclusion: These findings propose that the diagnostic nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs can be applied as a good contrast medium for molecular CT techniques.