Title:Radiopharmacokinetics of Graphene Quantum Dots Nanoparticles
In vivo: Comparing the Pharmacokinetics Parameters in Long and Short
Periods
Volume: 22
Issue: 30
Author(s): Matheus Keuper Bastos, Martha Sahylí Ortega Pijeira, Juliana Helena de Souza Sobrinho, Ana Paula dos Santos Matos, Eduardo Ricci-Junior, Pierre Basilio de Almeida Fechine, Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar, Sara Gemini-Piperni, Frank Alexis, Mohamed Fathy Attia and Ralph Santos-Oliveira*
Affiliation:
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmaceuticals and Synthesis of Novel Radiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil
- State University of Rio de Janeiro, Laboratory of Radiopharmacy and Nanoradiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, 23070200 Brazil
Keywords:
Graphene quantum dots, Pharmacokinetics, In vivo analyses, 99mTc labeling, Nanoparticles, GQDs.
Abstract:
Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained great importance during the last decades
for developing new therapeutics with improved outcomes for biomedical applications due to their
nanoscale size, surface properties, loading capacity, controlled drug release, and distribution.
Among the carbon-based nanomaterials, one of the most biocompatible forms of graphene is graphene
quantum dots (GQDs). GQDs are obtained by converting 2D graphene into zero-dimensional
graphene nanosheets. Moreover, very few reports in the literature reported the pharmacokinetic
studies proving the safety and effectiveness of GQDs for in vivo applications.
Objectives: This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of GQDs radiolabeled with 99mTc, administered
intravenously, in rodents (Wistar rats) in two conditions: short and long periods, to compare
and understand the biological behavior.
Methods: The graphene quantum dots were produced and characterized by RX diffractometry, Raman
spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed following
the radiopharmacokinetics concepts, using radiolabeled graphene quantum dots with technetium
99 metastable (99mTc). The radiolabeling process of the graphene quantum dots with 99mTc
was performed by the direct via.
Results: The results indicate that the pharmacokinetic analyses with GQDs over a longer period
were more accurate. Following a bicompartmental model, the long-time analysis considers each
pharmacokinetic phase of drugs into the body. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that short-time
analysis could lead to distortions in pharmacokinetic parameters, leading to misinterpretations.
Conclusion: The evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of GQDs over long periods is more meaningful
than the evaluation over short periods.
