Pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in mice

Abstract

Background

This study explored the pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) in imprinting control region (ICR) mice.

Methods

The Fe₃O₄ MNPs were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation, and their morphology and appearance were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ICR mice were divided into a control group and a Fe₃O₄ MNP-treated group. Probable target organs in ICR mice were observed, and the pharmacokinetic parameters and biodistribution of Fe₃O₄ MNPs in tissues were identified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results

Fe₃O₄ MNPs were spherical with a well distributed particle diameter, and were distributed widely in various target organs and tissues including the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, brain, stomach, small intestine, and bone marrow. The majority of Fe₃O₄ MNPs were distributed to the liver and the spleen. Fe₃O₄ MNP levels in brain tissue were higher in the Fe₃O₄ MNP-treated group than in the control group, indicating that Fe₃O₄ MNPs can penetrate the blood–brain barrier.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the distribution of Fe₃O₄ MNPs was mostly in the liver and spleen, so the curative effect of these compounds could be more pronounced for liver tumors. Furthermore, Fe₃O₄ MNPs might be used as drug carriers to overcome physiologic barriers.

Keywords:

• magnetic nanoparticles
• Fe₃O₄
• tissue distribution
• mice

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the 973 National Key Fundamental Research Project of China (Number 2006CB933205), 863 Project of the People’s Republic of China (Number 2007AA022007), National Nature Science Foundation of the People’s Republic of China (Numbers 30740062, 30872970), and the Special Purpose Science Research Foundation for High Schools (Number 20070286042).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this study.