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Assessment of in vivo systemic toxicity and biodistribution of iron-doped silica nanoshells

Natalie Mendez, MS, Alexander Liberman, PhD, Jacqueline Corbeil, BS, Christopher Barback, BS, Robert Viveros, BS, James Wang, MS, Jessica Wang-Rodriguez, MD, Sarah L. Blair, MD, Robert Mattrey, MD, David Vera, MD, William Trogler, PhD, Andrew C. Kummel, PhD
Published:
2017
Research summary:

Silica nanoparticles are an emerging class of biomaterials which  may be used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for biomedical applications.  In particular, hollow silica nanoshells are attractive due to their hollow  core. Approximately 70% of a 500 nm nanoshell is hollow, thereforemore  particles can be administered on a mg/kg basis compared to solid  nanoparticles. Additionally, their nanoporous shell permits influx/efflux of  gases and small molecules. Since the size, shape, and composition of a  nanoparticle can dramatically alter its toxicity and biodistribution, the  toxicology of these nanomaterials was assessed. A single dose toxicity study  was performed in vivo to assess the toxicity of 500 nm iron-doped silica  nanoshells at clinically relevant doses of 10-20 mg/kg. This study showed  that only a trace amount of silica was detected in the body 10 weeks  post-administration. The hematology, biochemistry and pathological results  show that the nanoshells exhibit no acute or chronic toxicity in mice.

Source:
N. Mendez et al / Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine 13 (2017) 933–942
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