Ryan J, Jacob P, Lee A, Gagnon Z, Pavel IE. Biodistribution and toxicity of antimicrobial ionic silver (Ag
+) and silver nanoparticle (AgNP
+) species after oral exposure, in Sprague-Dawley rats.
Food Chem Toxicol 2022;
166:113228. [PMID:
35710031 DOI:
10.1016/j.fct.2022.113228]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Although antimicrobial nanosilver finds numerous applications in the health and food industries, the in vivo toxicity of positively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs+) and relevant controls are largely unexplored. This study investigates the relationship between the biodistribution and toxicity of the well-known cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped AgNPs+ in 6-weeks old female Sprague-Dawley rats, at sublethal doses. Amounts comparative to those leaked from food products or considered for animal feed were administered through daily water intake, for an 18-day period: AgNPs+ (40 μg mL-1), Ag+ (40 μg mL-1), antimicrobial CTAB+ (24 μg mL-1) and tap water. All exposures except for the water control had adverse effects on the health and systemic functions of rats (e.g., lethargy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, impediment of bone development, and/or heightened immune response). Although the total Ag accumulation in tissues (1.4-1.6 μg of Ag/g of liver, spleen, jejunum, and brain) was comparable for the two Ag species, AgNPs+ were generally more toxic than Ag+, particularly in spleen (0.8 μg Ag/g). Significantly reduced euthanasia time, alopecia, inflammatory responses in spleen, fragile veins, and enhanced lymphocytosis were observed only for AgNPs+. Overall, this study raises health concerns about the ingestion of capped-AgNPs+ or Ag+ by first-hand consumers and industry workers.
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