Long-circulating liposomal contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) is a dynamic technique for imaging vasculature. However, the currently used gadolinium (Gd) chelates, such as Gd-DTPA, restrict the time window for image acquisition due to their rapid elimination from blood and their rapid diffusion into the extravascular space, which prevents their use in steady-state imaging, particularly for MR angiography (MRA). The goal of this study was to prepare long-circulating polyethylene glycol-bearing ((PEG)ylated) liposomes encapsulating Gd chelate, and characterize and demonstrate their utility for MRA.

Preparation of in vivo cleavable agglomerated liposomes suitable for modulated pulmonary drug delivery.

In an attempt to achieve post-inhalation modulation of drug release rate, Bhavane et al. have recently proposed a microparticle agglomerate of nano-sized liposomal particles, with the agglomeration process consisting of chemical cross-linkages that are capable of cleavage [Bhavane et al. J.