Use of magnetic resonance to study biodistribution of dextran-coated magnetic fluid intravenously administered in mice

Magnetic resonance was used to investigate the kinetic disposition and the subsequent biodistribution of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles (9.4 nm core diameter) after intravenous injection of a bolus dose in female Swiss mice. The X-band spectra show a broad single-line at gapproximate to2, typical of nanomagnetic particles suspended in a non-magnetic matrix. In the first 90 min the time-decay of the nanoparticle concentration in the bloodstream follows the one-exponential (one-compartment) model with a half-life of 6.9 min. With respect to blood the clearance (90 mul/min) and the volume of distribution (900 mul) were obtained from the magnetic resonance data. Magnetite nanoparticles were found 90 min after administration in liver and spleen with a typical absorption half-life of 14 min. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.