Preparation and biodistribution of radiolabeled fullerene C60 nanocrystals

The present study describes for the first time a procedure for the radiolabeling of fullerene (C60) nanocrystals (nanoC60) with Na 125I, as well as the biodistribution of radiolabeled nanoC60 (125I-nanoC60). The solvent exchange method with tetrahydrofuran was used to make colloidal water suspensions of radiolabeled nanoC60 particles. The radiolabeling procedure with the addition of Na 125I to tetrahydrofuran during dissolution of C60 gave a higher radiochemical yield of radiolabeled nanoC60 particles in comparison to the second option, in which Na 125I was added after C60 was dissolved. Using photon correlation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, 125I-nanoC60 particles were found to have a crystalline structure and a mean diameter of 200-250 nm. The 125I-nanoC60 had a particularly high affinity for human serum albumin, displaying 95% binding efficiency after 1 h. Biodistribution studies of 125I-nanoC60 in rats indicated significant differences in tissue accumulation of 125I-nanoC60 and the radioactive tracer Na 125I. The higher accumulation of radiolabeled nanoC60 was observed in liver and spleen, while accumulation in thyroid, stomach, lungs and intestines was significantly lower in comparison to Na 125I. In addition to being useful for testing the biological distribution of nanoC60, the described radiolabeling procedure might have possible applications in cancer radiotherapy.