Here, we report the synthesis of robust hybrid iodinated
silica–lipid
nanoemulsions (HSLNEs) for use as a contrast agent for ultrasound
and X-ray applications. We engineered iodinated silica nanoparticles
(SNPs), lipid nanoemulsions, and a series of HSLNEs by a low-energy
spontaneous nanoemulsification process. The formation of a silica
shell requires sonication to hydrolyze and polymerize/condensate the
iodomethyltrimethoxysilane at the oil/water interface of the nanoemulsion
droplets. The resulting nanoemulsions (NEs) exhibited a homogeneous
spherical morphology under transmission electron microscopy. The particles
had diameters ranging from 20 to 120 nm with both negative and positive
surface charges in the absence and presence of cetyltrimethylammonium
bromide (CTAB), respectively. Unlike CTAB-coated nanoformulations,
the CTAB-free NEs showed excellent biocompatibility in murine RAW
macrophages and human U87-MG cell lines in vitro. The maximum tolerated
dose assessment was evaluated to verify their safety profiles in vivo.
In vitro X-ray and ultrasound imaging and in vivo computed tomography
were used to monitor both iodinated SNPs and HSLNEs, validating their
significant contrast-enhancing properties and suggesting their potential
as dual-modality clinical agents in the future.
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