Gd-Si Oxide Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

[EN] We describe the synthesis, characterization and application as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging of a novel type of magnetic nanoparticle based on Gd-Si oxide, which presents high Gd3+ atom density. For this purpose, we have used a Prussian Blue analogue as the sacrificial template by reacting with soluble silicate, obtaining particles with nanorod morphology and of small size (75 nm). These nanoparticles present good biocompatibility and higher longitudinal and transversal relaxivity values than commercial Gd3+ solutions, which significantly improves the sensitivity of in vivo magnetic resonance images.The authors thank the Spanish MINECO (projects MAT2012-39290-CO2-01 and MAT2012-39290-CO2-02) for financial support. A.C.-G. also thanks "La Caixa" Foundation for a Ph.D. scholarship. We fully appreciate the assistance of the Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV and INSCANNER S.L.Cabrera-García, A.; Vidal Moya, JA.; Bernabéu, Á.; Pacheco Torres, J.; Checa Chavarría, E.; Fernández, E.; Botella Asuncion, P. (2016). Gd-Si Oxide Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Nanomaterials. 6(6):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano60601091156