Research Article

Imaging Characteristics of USPIO Nanoparticles (<5 nm) as MR Contrast Agent In Vitro and in the Liver of Rats

Figure 3

The influence of 5 nm USPIO nanoparticles on the cell viability and uptake of BRL-3A cells determined by MTT and Prussian blue staining assay. (a) Statistical analysis of MTT results revealed that only 24 hours incubation of 200 μg·Fe/mL and 400 μg·Fe/mL USPIO nanoparticles significantly weakened the cell viability as compared with the control (; ), respectively. For each group in MTT assay, 5 wells per plate were treated identically. (b, c) Cellular uptake of 5 nm USPIO nanoparticles determined by iron Prussian blue staining assay. Rat normal hepatic cells BRL-3A were treated by USPIO nanoparticles at 20, 50, and 100 μg·Fe/mL for 6 and 12 hours, as compared with the control group treated by culture media.
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