Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles Encapsulated into Vitamin E/Sphingomyelin Nanoemulsions as Contrast Agents for High‐Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful non-invasive imaging modalities used in clinics due to its great spatial resolution and excellent soft-tissue contrast, though still less sensitive than other techniques such as the nuclear imaging modalities. This lack of sensitivity can be improved with the use of contrast agents based on nanomaterials. In recent years, researchers have focused on the development of magnetic nanoparticles, given their role as enhancers of the contrast signal based on the magnetic resonance. Manganese ferrite nanoparticles stand out, given their high magnetic susceptibility and magnetic soft nature. Herein, 10 nm MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, functionalized with the natural antioxidant vitamin E (VitE-MFO) are encapsulated into simple, biodegradable and non-toxic nanoemulsions (NEs), by a reproducible one-step method obtaining stable 150 nm-sized magnetic nanoemulsions (VitE-MFO-NEs). After encapsulation, the superparamagnetic properties of VitE-MFO are maintained and MR imaging studies reveal an extremely high transverse relaxivity for VitE-MFO-NEs (652.9 × 10 −3 m −1 s −1 ), twofold higher than VitE-MFO value. Moreover, VitE-MFO-NEs show great in vivo biocompatibility and good signal in in vivo and ex vivo MRI, which indicates their great potential for biomedical imaging enhancing the negative MR contrast and significantly improving the sensitivity of MRI.

Dependence of Structural, Morphological and Magnetic Properties of Manganese Ferrite on Ni-Mn Substitution

“…Mn ferrite nanoparticles are smaller than Ni ferrite nanoparticles, while the particle size of mixed Ni-Mn composition increases with the increasing of Ni content. The obtained particle sizes are slightly higher than those reported for Mn ferrite (10 nm) obtained by thermal decomposition [ 35 ] and lower than those reported for Mn ferrite annealed at high temperatures [ 34 , 36 ].…”

The optical research progress of nanophosphors composed of transition elements in the fourth period of near-infrared windows I and II for deep-tissue theranostics

“…For example, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide anatomical images of various body parts. [101][102][103] In contrast, positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are high-sensitivity physiological images, but different detection methods have advantages and disadvantages. [104][105][106] Traditional optical imaging has the following shortcomings that need to be improved: a low penetration depth in biological tissues and limited spatial resolution.…”

Nanoparticles of Bioactive Metals/Metal Oxides and Their Nanocomposites with Antibacterial Drugs for Biomedical Applications

“…They can be considered as carriers, vectors, and active components in targeted drug delivery systems [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Magnetic INPs are promising agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [ 7 , 8 ] and contribute considerably to the development of tissue engineering [ 9 , 10 ]. These INPs are promising agents for magnetic hyperthermia [ 11 , 12 ].…”