In Vivo Distribution of Inorganic Nanoparticles in Preclinical Models

Ongoing progress in nanotechnologies has led to their implementation for in vivo diagnostic and therapy. Thus, the main applications of inorganic nanoparticles are imaging for diagnosis and cell tracking, photothermal and drug-delivery therapies. Following nanoparticles in vivo administration, the systemic circulation can distribute them to every body organ and tissue. Precise characterization of nanoparticles distribution and accumulation in the different body parts in preclinical models is required before any application in humans. The biodistribution of inorganic nanoparticles has been analysed in different preclinical models, particularly mouse, rat and rabbit. This review covers the in vivo biodistribution of different inorganic nanoparticles in preclinical models: gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots and carbon nanotubes.