June 11th, 2015

Iranian researchers from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences synthesized nanoparticles that can be used to increase the contrast of MRI.

The nanoparticles proved successful in animal tests, and they enable the early diagnosis of cancers and small metastasis due to their tiny size.
The aim of the research was to synthesize and to evaluate properties of a nanoparticle with biocompatible coating, which can affect the contrast creation in MRI. To this end, cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with dextrin coating were synthesized through chemical deposition method, and they were studied as negative contrast agent.
Particles that are commercially used as negative contrast in the world are very expensive and they are not easily available. Results obtained from the study on mice showed that the nanoparticles synthesized in this research are able to create negative contrast in MRI. Therefore, the application of these particles enables the production and availability of the particles at lower cost.
In addition, these nanoparticles can be used in molecular imaging too, due to their very small size (about 4 nm). In other words, the very small particles can enter the desirable areas.
According to the researchers, small metastasis and even lymphatic metastasis can be detected due to the ability of nanoparticles in the creation of acceptable contrast and the small size of particles. Therefore, the early diagnosis of cancer becomes possible, and as a result, the life quality improves.