MRS studies of the effects induced by gold nanorods and ionizing radiation treatments in glioblastoma cultured cells

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have gained significant attention in biomedicine, due to their unique physicochemical properties, and versatile surface functionalization. They hold substantial potential in nuclear medicine as platforms for radiopharmaceutical transport, enhancing the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of oncological diseases. This study aim to characterize the metabolic profile of the T98G glioblastoma cell line using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), to identify signature biomarkers and quantify their variation following treatment with ionizing radiation (Cs-137 gamma rays) and AuNRs. MRS is a robust, non-invasive analytical tool for the in vitro investigation of biological systems. By providing detailed insights into the metabolic profiles of cultured tumor cells, MRS facilitates a deeper understanding of cellular responses to various anticancer approaches. Specifically, changes in key spectroscopic metabolic markers can serve as indicators of cellular stress and therapeutic efficacy following exposure to treatments, such as ionizing radiation and AuNR-based drug delivery systems. 1H NMR spectra were acquired from intact T98G cell samples at multiple time points post-incubation with AuNRs and following irradiation at clinical doses (10 and 20 Gy). Preliminary results reveal significant alterations in lipid and glutathione metabolic pathways, highlighting the sensitivity of these markers to both AuNR uptake and radiological stress. These findings also suggest potential applications in radioprotective nanomedicine.