Purpose: To develop an iron-based solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) absorbable by the intestinal wall and assess the differential diagnostic value of intestinal lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods: SLNs were prepared with the simultaneous loading of trivalent Fe ions (Fe³⁺), levodopa methyl ester (DM), and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). We evaluated the particle size, loading rate, encapsulation efficiency, and cytotoxicity of SLNs. The T₁ contrast effects of the FeDM-FITC-SLNs and gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) were compared in different mouse models: acute ulcerative colitis (AUC), chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC), colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and normal control. MRI was performed in the same mouse with intravenous injection of GBCA on day 1 and enema of FeDM-FITC-SLNs on day 2. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were compared using one-way analysis of variance. Tissues were then collected for histology.
Results: The average particle size of FeDM-FITC-SLN was 220 nm. The mean FeDM loading rate was 94.3%, and the encapsulation efficiency was 60.3%. The relaxivity was 4.02 mM^{− 1}·s^{− 1}. After enema with FeDM-FITC-SLNs, MRI showed the following contrast enhancement duration: AUC = COAD > normal > CUC. Confocal fluorescence microscopy confirmed that FeDM-FITC-SLNs were mainly distributed in the intestinal mucosa and tumor capsule.
Conclusion: Iron-based SLNs are promising alternatives for contrast enhancement at T1-weighted MRI and will help in the differential diagnosis of intestinal bowel diseases (IBDs).
Keywords: solid lipid nanoparticles, magnetic resonance imaging, contrast agent, ferric iron, intestinal bowel diseases