Applications of radiotracer techniques for the pharmacology and toxicology studies of nanomaterials

With the rapid development of nanosciences and nanotechnology, a wide variety of manufactured nanomaterials are now used in commodities, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, biomedical products, and industries. While nanomaterials possess more novel and unique physicochemical properties than bulk materials, they also have an unpredictable impact on human health. In the pharmacology and toxicology studies of nanomaterials, it is essential to know the basic behavior in vivo, i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of these newly designed materials. Radiotracer techniques are especially well suited to such studies and have got the chance to demonstrate their enchantment. In this paper, radiolabeling methods for carbon nanomaterials, metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles, etc. are summarized and the applications of the radiolabeled nanomaterials in pharmacology and toxicology studies are outlined. Supported by the National Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant Nos. 2006CB705605 and 2006CB932505), Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KJCX3.SYW.N3), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10525524, 10505024 and 20707027)