Skip to Content
Merck

Nanomagnet-based removal of lead and digoxin from living rats.

Nanoscale (2013-08-01)
Inge K Herrmann, Andrea Schlegel, Rolf Graf, Christoph M Schumacher, Nico Senn, Melanie Hasler, Sabrina Gschwind, Ann-Marie Hirt, Detlef Günther, Pierre-Alain Clavien, Wendelin J Stark, Beatrice Beck-Schimmer
ABSTRACT

In a number of clinical conditions such as intoxication, bacteraemia or autoimmune diseases the removal of the disease-causing factor from blood would be the most direct cure. However, physicochemical characteristics of the target compounds limit the applicability of classical filtration and diffusion-based processes. In this work, we present a first in vivo magnetic blood purification rodent animal model and demonstrate its ability to rapidly clear toxins from blood circulation using two model toxins with stable plasma levels (lead (Pb(2+)) and digoxin). Ultra-strong functionalized metal nanomagnets are employed to eliminate the toxin from whole blood in an extracorporeal circuit. In the present experimental demonstration over 40% of the toxin (i.e. lead or digoxin) was removed within the first 10 minutes and over 75% within 40 minutes. After capturing the target substance, a magnetic trap prevents the toxin-loaded nanoparticles from entering the blood circulation. Elemental analysis and magnetic hysteresis measurements confirm full particle recovery by simple magnetic separation (residual particle concentration below 1 μg mL(-1) (detection limit)). We demonstrate that magnetic separation-based blood purification offers rapid blood cleaning from noxious agents, germs or other deleterious materials with relevance to a number of clinical conditions. Based on this new approach, current blood purification technologies can be extended to efficiently remove disease-causing factors, e.g. overdosed drugs, bacteria or cancer cells without being limited by filter cut-offs or column surface saturation.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
TurboBeads Complexon, extent of labeling: ≥0.1 mmol/g loading (-Ph-CH2-N(CH2-COOH)2)
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
TurboBeads Silica, extent of labeling: SiO2 loading (Silica coating))
Pricing and availability is not currently available.