{"title":"Potential positive MRI contrast agent based on PVP-grafted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with various repetition times","authors":"M. Nazarpoor, H. Fattahi","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00008","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): The present study aimed to evaluate the capability of synthesized and modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as the positive contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by investigating the effect of repetition time (TR) on the MRI signal intensity. Materials and Methods: SPIONs were synthesized using the co-precipitation method, and their surface was successfully modified with biocompatible poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The effect of TR on the signal intensity (SI) of the PVP-grafted SPIONs was assessed in the spin-echo T1-weighted MRI images. Results: The results indicated the maximum SI at the concentration of 400 µmol Fe/l with the TR of 800-2,200 milliseconds. Moreover, the maximum SI was observed at the concentration of 75 µmol Fe/l, where TR was within the range of 2,900-6,400 milliseconds. Conclusion: According to the results, in addition to their capability as negative MRI contrast agents, PVP-grafted SPIONs could be preferred positive contrast agents with specific imaging parameters and have the potential application for early cancer diagnosis and perfusion measurements.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44767547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mojtaba Shakibaie, Fatemeh Alipour-Esmaeili-Anari, Mahboubeh Adeli-sardou, A. Ameri, Mohsen Doostmohammadi, H. Forootanfar, A. Ameri
{"title":"Antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of microwave-assisted biologically synthesized zinc nanoparticles","authors":"Mojtaba Shakibaie, Fatemeh Alipour-Esmaeili-Anari, Mahboubeh Adeli-sardou, A. Ameri, Mohsen Doostmohammadi, H. Forootanfar, A. Ameri","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00009","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential of the non-oxidized form of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) prepared by a ‘green approach’ using the Lavandula vera extract with microwave irradiation.Materials and Methods: After synthesis of Zn NPs, the microdilution and disk diffusion methods was applied for antimicrobial evaluation followed by anti-biofilm activity measurement using crystal violet colorimetric assay procedure.Results: The obtained results demonstrated the production of spherical Zn NPs within the size range of 30-80 nanometers. The measured minimum inhibitory concentration of the Zn NPs and ZnSO4 against the biofilm-producing and clinically isolated pathogens of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis was estimated to be more than 2560 µg/ml. In addition, a non-significant increase (P>0.05) was observed in the antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus after the addition of the Zn NPs (500 µg/disk) to the antibiotic discs containing tobramycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, azithromycin, and kanamycin compared to ZnSO4. On the other hand, the Zn NPs significantly decreased the biofilm formation of P. mirabilis compared to P. aeruginosa (P<0.05). Biofilm formation by S. aureus also reduced to 68.3±2.1% in the presence of the Zn NPs (640 µg/ml), which was considered significant compared to P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa at the same concentration (P<0.05). Conclusion: To sum up, the biofilm inhibitory activity of Zn NPs at higher concentrations than 160 µg/ml against S. aureus and P. mirabilis was more significant compared to the inhibitory effects of ZnSO4. However, further investigations are required in order to determine the antibacterial and anti-biofilm mechanism of Zn NPs.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42112705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Hoseinzadeh, E. Raeisi, Y. Lemoigne, E. Heidarian
{"title":"Effects of combined 5-Fluorouracil and ZnO NPs on human breast cancer MCF-7 Cells: P53 gene expression, Bcl-2 signaling pathway, and invasion activity","authors":"S. Hoseinzadeh, E. Raeisi, Y. Lemoigne, E. Heidarian","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.000010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.000010","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): The significant contribution of nanoparticles to cancer treatment has attracted therapeutic attention. The present study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as multimodal drug delivery on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Materials and Methods: In this in-vitro study, the impact of 5-FU and ZnO NPs in the single or combined forms was evaluated on cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, p53 gene expression, and Bcl-2 signaling protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using several techniques, such as MTT, clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot.Results: In this study, 5-FU combined with ZnO NPs showed synergistic effects against MCF-7 within 48 hours. In addition, the combination of 5-FU and ZnO NPs at the respective concentrations of 1 µM and 45 µg/ml exhibited significant apoptosis (79.53), p53 gene expression (3.6 folds), reduction of cell invasion (9.82), and plating efficiency (5), thereby leading to the significant reduction of cell viability (40±0.9) and decreased Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein relative to untreated control cells. Conclusion: According to the results, the synergistic effects of combined ZnO NPs and 5-FU on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were exerted via Bcl-2 inhibition and the up-regulation of p53 expression.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43084305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Application of near-infrared light intensity to determine normal and cancerous breast vessel contrast by gold nanoparticles","authors":"P. Mehnati, Bahman Alipour, R. Salehi","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00007","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): A novel technique for the early diagnosis of breast cancer involves the use of nanoparticles (NPs). The present study aimed to use gold NPs to assess the variations in light source transfer intensity. Materials and Methods: Blood samples with hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of ×1, ×2, and ×4 were used to simulate normal and cancerous conditions in the breast. Spherical gold NPs (SGNPs) and gold nanorods (GNRs) with various Hb concentrations were injected into the breast phantom, and the intensity of the light transmitted on the wavelength of 635 nanometers was measured. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that SGNPs and GNRs were prepared with a uniform particle shape.Results: When the SGNPs were blended with the Hb concentrations of ×1, ×2, and ×4, the intensity of the passing light from the vessel was estimated to be 3.62, 2.40, and 1.64 mw, respectively. When GNRs were blended with the Hb concentrations of ×1, ×2, and ×4, the intensity changed to lower values 3.42, 2.13, and 1.98 mw, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, SGNPs and GNRs in normal and cancerous breast induced various passing intensities of Hb concentrations. In addition, the vascular contrast induced by GNRs was higher compared to SGNPs.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48064314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ShRNA-mediated knock-down of CD200 using the self-assembled nanoparticle-forming derivative of polyethylenimine","authors":"B. Khalvati, A. Dehshahri","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00006","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): ShRNA-mediated silencing strategy is considered to be a potent therapeutic approach. The present study aimed to assess the ability of the previously prepared polyethylenimine (PEI) derivative for the shRNA knock-down of the CD200 gene on the cells obtained from the patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Materials and Methods: Since there are several investigations regarding the role of CD200 over-expression in the progression of several malignancies (e.g., CLL), polyplexes were prepared using succinylated PEI and the plasmid encoding anti-CD200 shRNA. The ability of the nanoparticles for CD200 silencing at the levels of protein and mRNA, as well as the apoptotic effects induced by unmodified PEI and its derivative, were evaluated. Results: Conjugation of succinic acid using the primary amines of PEI reduced the cell-induced toxicity of the polymer. Under such circumstances, 92.1% of the cells remained alive after treatment with the nanoparticles based on modified PEI. In addition, CD200 knock-down evaluations demonstrated a 50% reduction in the expression of the gene in the samples obtained from patients with CLL, while using the same formulation on the cells obtained from healthy donors decreased the CD200+ cells up to 10%. The results of CD200 silencing at the mRNA level revealed that the shRNA formulation could reduce the CD200 level in the cells of the patients by 3.2-6.06-fold relative to the cells transfected with non-effective, scrambled shRNA. Conclusion: Our findings supported the application of succinylated PEI for the down-regulation of the CD200 gene in the upcoming attempts to develop nano-carriers for gene therapy.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47113934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Emamgholi, M. Rahimi, S. Tabaei, Teymoor Ghorbani, S. Ziai, P. B. Milan, Mahdi Khodadoust, Nafiseh Keshavarzian
{"title":"Investigation of osteoblast-like cells cultured on nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan based composite scaffold in the treatment of bone defects and limited mobility","authors":"A. Emamgholi, M. Rahimi, S. Tabaei, Teymoor Ghorbani, S. Ziai, P. B. Milan, Mahdi Khodadoust, Nafiseh Keshavarzian","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.00003","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): Design and construction of biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds are among the main goals of tissue engineering. Recently, use of nano-hydroxyapatite as a bioactive bioceramic agent with high similarity to the mineral phase of the human bone tissue, in combination with biodegradable polymers and implant coatings has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of biomaterial sciences. The present study aimed to assess the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in osteoblast-like cells on the chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold in mature rats.Materials and Methods: Chitosan and PEO solution with the weight ratio of 80:20 and 70:30 were prepared, and 2% weight of nano-hydroxyapatite was added. Nanofibers were prepared using the electrospinning method, and the morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Afterwards, the BMSCs of mature rats were cultured on nanofibers and differentiated by adding a differentiation medium. The survival of the differentiated cells was evaluated at the end of the first, second, and third week using acridine orange staining, and the morphology of the differentiated cells exposed to nanofibers was assessed using SEM. Results: The mean diameter of the nanofibers with the ratio of 80:20 was 150±17 nanometers. The differentiation of BMSCs into the osteoblast-like cells on nanofibers was confirmed using Alizarin red staining. The results indicated a significant decrease in the survival of the differentiated cells in the nanofiber groups by the end of the third week of differentiation compared to the control samples.Conclusion: According to the results, BMSCs could be differentiated into osteoblast-like cells in the presence of the chitosan/PEO nanofibers containing nano-hydroxyapatite.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46972124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Khosravi, M. Karami, M. J. Nadoushan, A. Hajnorouzi
{"title":"Myelin enhancement of Multiple sclerosis model with gold nanoparticles into the corpus callosum","authors":"M. Khosravi, M. Karami, M. J. Nadoushan, A. Hajnorouzi","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0000010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0000010","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): With no substantial cost, we injected L-arginine into the rat’s corpus callosum (CC) to create animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) and investigated the pre-injection effect of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rat (250-300 g) was surgically cannulated at the CC, and after recovery it was injected L-arginine (3-200 µg/rat, intra-CC) once daily for 3 to 5 consecutive days. GNPs (0.001-0.01 µg/rat, intra-CC) were injected alone or prior to the L-arginine using the same procedure. Control group solely received saline (1 µL/rat, intra-CC). Brain was studied with luxol fast blue. Weight change was also analyzed via the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: L-arginine significantly induced (p< 0.05) a reduction in the fiber density while the neurons increased (p< 0.05). Single GNPs reduced (p< 0.05) the fiber and neuron densities; however, pre-injection of NPs caused myelinated fibers and uniform density of neurons. Conclusion: The L-arginine may trigger demyelination by pro-inflammatory nitric oxide (NO), and the GNPs may improve this effect.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44488189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Computational simulations of nanoparticle transport in a three-dimensional capillary network","authors":"S. Shurche, M. Sooteh","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.000007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.000007","url":null,"abstract":"Objective(s): Multifunctional nanomedicine is the new generation of medicine, which is remarkably promising and associated with the minimum toxicity of targeted therapy. Distribution and transport of nanoparticles (NPs) in the blood flow are essential to the evaluation of delivery efficacy. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we initially designed a phantom based on Murray’s minimum work law using the AutoCAD software. Afterwards, the phantom was fabricated using lithography and imaged using a Siemens Magnetom 3T Prisma MRI scanner at the National Brain Mapping Laboratory, Iran. Finally, the velocity and pressure in the capillary network were simulated using the COMSOL software. Moreover, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations were applied to model the NP transport and dispersion in blood suspension. Results: According to the findings, particle size, vessel geometry, and vascular flow rate affected the delivery efficacy and NP distribution. Cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time, and curves for the capillary network were obtained at different times. The simulations indicated that the velocity and pressure in the capillary network were within the ranges of 0.0001-0.0005 m/s and 5-25 mm/Hg, respectively. Higher particle concentration was also observed in the non-uniform NP distribution profile near the vessel wall. Conclusion: We investigated the effects of the vessel size and geometry and particulate nature of blood on the delivery and distribution of NPs. For targeted drug delivery applications, a mechanistic understanding on the nanomedicine design was provided as well.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43189744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elaheh Sadat Mirkamali, R. Ahmadi, Khadijah Kalateh, G. Zarei
{"title":"Adsorption of melphalan anticancer drug on the surface of fullerene (C24): a comprehensive DFT study","authors":"Elaheh Sadat Mirkamali, R. Ahmadi, Khadijah Kalateh, G. Zarei","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0005","url":null,"abstract":"Objective (s): The present study aimed to assess the adsorption of fullerene C24 with Melphalan anticancer agent in a solvent phase (water) at the B3LYP/6-31G (d) theoretical level.Materials and Methods: Initially, the structures of Melphalan and fullerene complexes were optimized in four configurations. Afterwards, IR calculations and molecular orbital analysis were performed. In addition, some important parameters were assessed, including the adsorption energy, Gibbs free energy changes (ΔGad), enthalpy (ΔHad) variations, thermodynamic equilibrium constant, specific heat capacity, chemical hardness, energy gap, and electrophilicity. Results: According to the results, Gibbs free energy changes (ΔGad), enthalpy (ΔHad) variations, III-Isomer, and IV-Isomer were negatives at various temperatures, while for I-Isomer and II-Isomer were positives throughout the temperature range of 298.15-310.15 K.Conclusion: Since according to the obtained results for adsorption of Melphalan on the C24 in , III-Isomer, and IV-Isomer were spontaneous at various temperatures, while I-Isomer and II-Isomer were not spontaneous throughout the temperature range of 298.15-310.15 K.Conclusion: Since the adsorption of Melphalan with fullerene C24 is spontaneous. Moreover, the effects of temperature on thermodynamic parameters were investigated, and the calculated specific heat capacity values indicated that C24 could be utilized as a sensing material in the construction of thermal biosensors for Melphalan determination.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45376400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biosynthesis of Srco3 nanostructures with honey as a green capping agent and reductant: photodynamic therapy","authors":"M. Rezaeizadeh, M. Ranjbar, A. Pardakhty","doi":"10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/NMJ.2019.06.0003","url":null,"abstract":"Objective (s): SrCO3 nanoparticles could be used as new biomedical sources in magnetic resonance imaging as a promising noninvasive imaging modality for the preoperative staging of breast cancer and monitoring of tumor response to therapy. The present study aimed to synthesize SrCO3 nanostructures using microwave irradiation in the presence of honey as a green capping agent and reductant. Materials and Methods: The optical properties of SrCO3 nanostructures were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Sr(NO3)2.6H2O and NaOH were applied as the starting reagents. Fructose (32.56-38.2%) and glucose (28.54-31.3%), which were the main carbohydrates found in honey, were not only involved in stabilization, but they also acted as the reducing agents in the production of SrCO3 nanostructures. The produced nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.Results: Method of synthesis and chemical reagents were observed to affect the structural parameters, crystallite size, product size, morphology, and antioxidant activity. Conclusion: According to the results, honey could be used as a green capping agent and reductant for the synthesis of SrCO3 nanostructures as a novel structure to co-deliver therapeutic agents using photo-thermal agents. Moreover, honey has significant potential for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the future.","PeriodicalId":18933,"journal":{"name":"Nanomedicine Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43156659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}