Radiosensitizing effects of different size bovine serum albumin-templated gold nanoparticles on H22 hepatoma-bearing mice

Aim: To evaluate intravenously injected bovine serum albumin-templated gold nanoparticles (BSA-GNPs) for radiosensitization effects on H22 hepatoma-bearing mice. Materials & methods: BSA-GNPs in different size were injected intravenously with a dose of 4 mg Au/kg. After 30 min injection, the tumor-bearing mice were irradiated with 5 Gy x-ray. Results: BSA-GNPs in 8, 50 and 187 nm were synthesized and have no obvious cytotoxicity to HeLa, HepG2 and HeCat cells when the concentration was up to 32 μM. And no obvious physiological injury of mice occurred when the intravenous injection dose was 4 mg Au/kg. In vivo study indicates 8 and 50 nm BSA-GNPs can inhibit tumor growth through inducing apoptosis in radiotherapy, with enhancement factors 1.93 and 2.02, respectively. Conclusion: BSA-GNPs in 8 and 50 nm are promising radiosensitizers in radiotherapy of subcutaneously transplanted hepatocarcinoma.