The biodistribution of biodegradable nanoparticles can be difficult to quantify. We report a method using time resolved fluorescence (TRF) from a lanthanide chelate to minimize background autofluorescence and maximize the signal to noise ratio to detect biodegradable nanoparticle distribution in mice. Specifically, antenna chelates containing europium were entrapped within nanoparticles compose...

Biokinetic studies of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles involve systematic and quantitative analyses of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in plasma and tissues of whole animals after exposure. A full understanding of the biokinetics provides basic information about nanoparticle entry into systemic circulation, target organs of accumulation and toxicity, and elimination time, whic...

Garcinia mangostana Linn extract (GME) is a natural product that has received considerable attention in cancer therapy, and has the potential to reduce side effects of chemotherapeutics and improve efficacy. We formulated GME-encapsulated ethyl cellulose (GME-EC) and a polymer blend of ethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose (GME-EC/MC) nanoparticles. We achieved high drug-loading and encapsulatio...

Diblock copolymer nanoparticles encapsulating a paclitaxel prodrug, Propac 7, have been used to demonstrate the usefulness of a nonmetabolizable radioactive marker, cholesteryl hexadecyl ether (CHE), to evaluate nanoparticle formulation variables. Since CHE did not exchange out of the nanoparticles, the rate of clearance of the CHE could be used as an indicator of nanoparticle stability in vivo...

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed that describes the concentration and biodistribution of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles in mice used for the controlled delivery of dexamethasone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. The simulated data showed initial spikes in nanoparticle concentration in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, whereas concentration in pl...

Phthalocyanine-aggregated Pluronic nanoparticles were constructed as a novel type of near-infrared (NIR) absorber for photothermal therapy. Tiny nanoparticles (~ 60 nm, FPc NPs) were prepared by aqueous dispersion of phthalocyanine-aggregated self-assembled nanodomains that were phase-separated from the melt mixture with Pluronic. Under NIR laser irradiation, FPc NPs manifested robust heat gene...

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles are emerging as one of the promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications, but their systemic toxicity in vivo has received little attention. In the present study, the effects of inorganic nanoparticle aggregation on their systemic toxicity were examined. Remarkably, aggregation was observed after the mixing of naked LDH nanoparticles with salin...

While evaporating solvent is a widely used technique to assemble nano-sized objects into desired superstructures, there has been limited work on how the assembled structures are affected by the physical aspects of the process. We present large scale molecular dynamics simulations of the evaporation-induced assembly of nanoparticles suspended in a liquid that evaporates in a controlled fashion. ...

The gas-phase photooxidation of 2-propanol over Au/TiO2 and TiO2 was studied by infrared spectroscopy and online mass spectrometry to gain insight into the mechanism and the role of gold. The presence of O2 was found to be essential for the formation of acetone under UV irradiation at room temperature. In the presence of gold nanoparticles the rate of acetone formation was increased compared to...

This study aims to investigate the potential nanotoxic effects of TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) to dams and pups during lactation period. TiO2 nanoparticles are accumulated in mammary glands of lactating mice after i.v. administration. This accumulation of TiO2 NP likely causes a ROS-induced disruption of tight junction of the blood-milk barrier as indicated by the loss of tight junction proteins a...