Comparative analysis of metallic nanoparticles as exogenous soft tissue contrast for live in vivo micro-computed tomography imaging of avian embryonic morphogenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gestationally survivable congenital malformations arise during mid-late stages of development that are inaccessible in vivo with traditional optical imaging for assessing long-term abnormal patterning. MicroCT is an attractive technology to rapidly and inexpensively generate quantitative three-dimensional (3D) datasets but requires exogenous contrast media. Here we establish dose-dependent toxicity, persistence, and biodistribution of three different metallic nanoparticles in day 4 chick embryos.

Results

We determined that 110-nm alkaline earth metal particles were nontoxic and persisted in the chick embryo for up to 24 hr postinjection with contrast enhancement levels at high as 1,600 Hounsfield units (HU). The 15-nm gold nanoparticles persisted with x-ray attenu

SUBMITTER: Gregg CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5026601 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature