Iranian researchers produce drug nano carriers for liver, spleen

Iranian researchers used nanoparticles for the production of drug carriers that have high adsorption ability inside the liver and spleen but have low adsorption in other body organs. Among important characteristics of the research, mention can be made of the conservation of nanoparticles until a week after the injection, determining the adsorption dosage of the nanoparticles in case they are attached to gallium 67 radioisotope, injection to humans, and the purification method of the final compound. The researchers firstly marked and purified the final product by choosing appropriate method for marking nanoparticles with gallium 67. Then, they controlled the quality and investigated the stability of the product. Animal studies and determination of the adsorption dosage in humans by using animal data were among other activities carried out by the researchers. According to Dr. Sa’eed Shanehsaz, one of the researchers of the plan, the life of nanoparticles until a week after the injection, determining adsorption dosage of the nanoparticles in case they are attached, injection to humans and the purification method of the final product are among the important advantages of the research. He elaborated on the results of the research, and said, “Among the results of the research, mention can be made of the possibility of using such type of nanoparticles for drug delivery to liver and the application of the nanoparticles by using alpha-emitting radioisotope. Another important point is that the nanoparticles are not adsorbed in other body organs because they are used for drug delivery to the liver. Taking into consideration the data obtained from the research, it can be concluded that these nanoparticles are not desirable for targeted drug delivery to other organs except liver.” The research has been carried out by Dr. Sa’eed Shanehsaz et al, and its results have been published in details in Nuclear Medicine Communications, vol. 34, 2013, pp. 915-925.