Quantitative Detection Method of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Based on Eu3+ Fluorescent Labeling in Vitro and in Vivo

One major challenge for application of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP) in nanomedicine is the quantitative detection method. Herein, we exploited one quantitative detection method for nHAP based on the Eu(3+) fluorescent labeling via a simple chemical coprecipitation method. The trace amount of nHAP in cells and tissues can be quantitatively detected on the basis of the fluorescent quantitative determination of Eu(3+) ions in nHAP crystal lattice. The lowest concentration of Eu(3+) ions that can be quantitatively detected is 0.5 nM using DELFIA enhancement solution. This methodology can be broadly applicable for studying the tissue distribution and metabolization of nHAP in vivo.