Highlights

Exploring the potential biomedical applications of magnetite nanoparticles

| Health, nanotechnologies

Nanoparticles (NPs) made from metals and their oxides, particularly magnetite (Fe₃O₄), have garnered significant attention due to their superparamagnetic properties, biocompatibility, and potential role in metabolic processes. The pharmacokinetics of magnetite NPs is influenced by their size and coating. Rapid distribution and elimination of uncoated magnetite NPs makes them useful in emergency conditions, such as post-hemorrhagic syndrome.

Production of magnetite NPs, TEM analysis and haematological testing.

While natural magnetite NPs are found in biological systems, artificial magnetite ones are produced through various methods, in particular electron beam technology in vacuum. Using different techniques, including, Holographic Transmission Electron Microscopy available at the CERIC Associated Facility at University of Salento, Dr Stanislav Lytvyn (E.O.Paton Electric Welding Institute, Ukraine) and colleagues investigated the effects of pure (i.e. ligand-free) magnetite NPs, synthesized via electron beam physical vapor deposition. Prof. Lucio Calcagnile’s team (University of Salento, Italy) performed HRTEM, SAED and FFT analyses, combined with the VESTA crystal model, and confirmed the absolute purity of the synthesized Fe₃O₄ NPs and their ideal surface and internal lattice structure, including the precise arrangement of iron and oxygen atoms in magnetite. The administration of these NPs in the sodium chloride matrix to intact animals by Prof. Elena Vazhnichaya (Poltava State Medical University, Ukraine) revealed a transient increase in the main indicators of red blood. It did not worsen blood gases and pH, decreased blood Na+ and caused changes in the parameters of serum iron. More intense rapid effects on haematological parameters at lower serum iron indicated greater activity of the studied magnetite NPs compared to the reference iron preparation.

These insights about pure magnetite NPs structure and action could then be used to derive applications in a variety of fields, including anti-anaemic treatment.

 

Original article:

Effect of pure (ligand-free) nanoparticles of magnetite in sodium chloride matrix on hematological indicators, blood gases, electrolytes and serum iron
Lytvyn S.Y., Vazhnichaya E.M., Manno D.E., Kurapov Y.A., Calcagnile L., Rinaldi R., Carbone G.G., Semaka O.V., Nedostup Y.V., Micro and Nano Systems Letters, 2024

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