Different hydroxyapatite magnetic nanoparticles for medical imaging: Its effects on hemostatic, hemolytic activity and cellular cytotoxicity

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) should be highly biocompatible, stable and safely eliminated from the body, and can therefore be successfully used in modern medicine. Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) has well established biocompatible and non-inflammatory properties, as well as a highly stable and flexible structure that allows for an easy incorporation of magnetic ions. This study characterized and compared the in vitro cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of hydroxyapatite MNPs doped with different ions (Gd(3+/)Fe(2+)/Fe(3+)/Co(2+)). HAP doped with 10% of Gd and Fe(III) presented the highest magnetic moments. Our results showed that Gd doped HAP nanoparticles are non-cytotoxic, hemocompatible, non-hemolytic and non-thrombogenic, in contrast with Fe(III) doped HAP that can be considered thrombogenic. For these reasons we propose that, Gd doped HAP nanoparticles have the most potential for application as a MRI contrast agents. However, use of Fe (III) doped HAP as MRI contrast agents should be further investigated.

Keywords: Biomaterial; Hemocompatibility; Magnetic resonance imaging; Nanotechnology.