Inorganic Nanomaterial for Biomedical Imaging of Brain Diseases

Abstract

In the past few decades, brain diseases have taken a heavy toll on human health and social systems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photoacoustic imaging (PA), computed tomography (CT), and other imaging modes play important roles in disease prevention and treatment. However, the disadvantages of traditional imaging mode, such as long imaging time and large noise, limit the effective diagnosis of diseases, and reduce the precision treatment of diseases. The ever-growing applications of inorganic nanomaterials in biomedicine provide an exciting way to develop novel imaging systems. Moreover, these nanomaterials with special physicochemical characteristics can be modified by surface modification or combined with functional materials to improve targeting in different diseases of the brain to achieve accurate imaging of disease regions. This article reviews the potential applications of different types of inorganic nanomaterials in vivo imaging and in vitro detection of different brain disease models in recent years. In addition, the future trends, opportunities, and disadvantages of inorganic nanomaterials in the application of brain diseases are also discussed. Additionally, recommendations for improving the sensitivity and accuracy of inorganic nanomaterials in screening/diagnosis of brain diseases.

Antitumor Activity of the Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Doxorubicin Complex In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Acidity is a unique hallmark of the tumor microenvironment. − Many pH-sensitive nanomedicines were designed and prepared to respond to the acidic tumor microenvironment promoting antitumor efficiency. − Inorganic nanomaterials, which possess a diverse range of structure, composition, morphology, and physicochemical properties have been used in cancer treatment and diagnosis as delivery carriers. − Recently, various metal oxides or calcium-based nanomaterials have been widely used as pH-sensitive inorganic nanomaterials. − It has been reported that ZnO NPs could be used as pH-responsive drug carriers, which possess pH-triggered drug release characteristics displaying a response to acid and a rapid dissolution to Zn 2+ at pH <5.5, especially in lysosomes used for intracellular drug delivery platforms. − The intracellular Zn 2+ produced by ZnO NPs has cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. , In addition, ZnO NPs could significantly induce the generation of ROS in tumor cells. − In particular, ZnO NPs can make full utilization of disproportional reaction, Haber–Weiss reaction, or Fenton reaction to compensate for O 2 -depletion, thus greatly improving the therapeutic efficacy against hypoxic tumors . ZnO NPs also have good optical properties and high stability to be a promising candidate for bioimaging. , ZnO NPs could be used to in situ upconvert NIR to visible light through the second harmonic generation (SHG) mechanism for tumor imaging. , Recently, we designed an H 2 O 2 -triggered intelligent photodynamic therapy (PDT) nano delivery system, LCL/ZnO, that could selectively regulate the tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs) and specifically kill tumor cells by producing different singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) in response to different H 2 O 2 gradients in TECs and tumor cells .…”

Utilization of Nanomaterials in Bioimaging and Cancer Theranostics

“…The inorganic nanomaterial is used in the designing the novel imaging systems. The nanomaterials used in targeting the diseases can be improved via surface modification or fusing with functional materials for betterment of the targeting property [7]. Fluorescent probes are utilized in fluorescence imaging (FL) by labeling specific cells or molecules to generate fluorescence signal via excitation of external light.…”

“…Fluorescent probes are utilized in fluorescence imaging (FL) by labeling specific cells or molecules to generate fluorescence signal via excitation of external light. It is involved in varied applications owing to less expenses, convenient operation, intrinsic biological safety of the imaging and quantitative sensitivity on the biological imaging grounds [7]. The existing contrast agents used in the imaging technique have the certain drawbacks like weak and short life, difficulty in maintaining high MRI resolution and fast weakening of MRI enhancement signal in the body, side effects due to improper dose.…”

“…The existing contrast agents used in the imaging technique have the certain drawbacks like weak and short life, difficulty in maintaining high MRI resolution and fast weakening of MRI enhancement signal in the body, side effects due to improper dose. Hence vast research is going on combat this problem and find new ways and preparation technique for developing new effective contrast agents with good relaxation rate and to meet its basic requirement [7]. Recently, nanomaterials can be surface functionalized which improves its biocompatibility and also changes the charge distribution on various nanomaterials surface and also achieves the targeting of the other functional effects.…”

“…Recently, nanomaterials can be surface functionalized which improves its biocompatibility and also changes the charge distribution on various nanomaterials surface and also achieves the targeting of the other functional effects. The inorganic nanomaterial is used as the material to depict the imaging application of metal and non-metal based nanomaterials in various diseases [7]. Computed Tomography (CT) considers or scans the specific required part of the human body using X-ray beams, ultrasound, and gamma rays, among other things, with the assistance of a scanning detector.…”