A Review of Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of Nanoparticles

Integrated in silico analysis of transcriptomic alterations in nanoparticle toxicity across human and mouse models

Nanoparticles, due to their exceptional physicochemical properties are used in our day-to-day environment. They are currently not regulated which might lead to increased levels in the biological systems causing adverse effects. However, the overall mechanism behind nanotoxicity remains elusive. Previously, we analysed the transcriptome datasets of copper oxide nanoparticles using in silico tools and identified IL-17, chemokine signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction as the key pathways altered. Based on the findings, we hypothesized a common pathway could be involved in transition metal oxide nanoparticles toxicity irrespective of the variables. Further, there could be unique transcriptome changes between metal oxide nanoparticles and other nanoparticles. To accomplish this, the overall transcriptome datasets of nanoparticles consisting of microarray and RNA-Seq were obtained. >90 studies for 17 different nanoparticles, performed in humans, rats, and mice were assessed. After initial screening, 24 mouse studies (with 196 datasets) and 34 human studies (with 200 datasets) were used for further analyses. The common genes that are dysregulated upon NPs exposure were identified for human and mouse datasets separately. Further, an overrepresentation functional enrichment analysis was performed. The common genes, their gene ontology, gene-gene, and protein-protein interactions were assessed. The overall results suggest that IL-17 and its related pathways might be commonly altered in nanoparticle exposure with lung as one of the major organs affected.

Applicability of Quantum Dots in Breast Cancer Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modalities-A State-of-the-Art Review

The increasing incidence of breast cancers (BCs) in the world population and their complexity and high metastatic ability are serious concerns for healthcare systems. Despite the significant progress in medicine made in recent decades, the efficient treatment of invasive cancers still remains challenging. Chemotherapy, a fundamental systemic treatment method, is burdened with severe adverse effects, with efficacy limited by resistance development and risk of disease recurrence. Also, current diagnostic methods have certain drawbacks, attracting attention to the idea of developing novel, more sensitive detection and therapeutic modalities. It seems the solution for these issues can be provided by nanotechnology. Particularly, quantum dots (QDs) have been extensively evaluated as potential targeted drug delivery vehicles and, simultaneously, sensing and bioimaging probes. These fluorescent nanoparticles offer unlimited possibilities of surface modifications, allowing for the attachment of biomolecules, such as antibodies or proteins, and drug molecules, among others. In this work, we discuss the potential applicability of QDs in breast cancer diagnostics and treatment in light of the current knowledge. We begin with introducing the molecular and histopathological features of BCs, standard therapeutic regimens, and current diagnostic methods. Further, the features of QDs, along with their uptake, biodistribution patterns, and cytotoxicity, are described. Based on the reports published in recent years, we present the progress in research on possible QD use in improving BC diagnostics and treatment efficacy as chemotherapeutic delivery vehicles and photosensitizing agents, along with the stages of their development. We also address limitations and open questions regarding this topic.

Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs)-Toxicity, Safety and Green Synthesis: A Critical Review

In recent years, the extensive exploration of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) has captivated the scientific community due to their versatile applications across various industries. With sizes typically ranging from 1 to 100 nm, AuNPs have emerged as promising entities for innovative technologies. This article comprehensively reviews recent advancements in AuNPs research, encompassing synthesis methodologies, diverse applications, and crucial insights into their toxicological profiles. Synthesis techniques for AuNPs span physical, chemical, and biological routes, focusing on eco-friendly "green synthesis" approaches. A critical examination of physical and chemical methods reveals their limitations, including high costs and the potential toxicity associated with using chemicals. Moreover, this article investigates the biosafety implications of AuNPs, shedding light on their potential toxic effects on cellular, tissue, and organ levels. By synthesizing key findings, this review underscores the pressing need for a thorough understanding of AuNPs toxicities, providing essential insights for safety assessment and advancing green toxicology principles.

Evaluation of possible cytotoxic, genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and possible protective effect of melatonin

Nanoparticles (NPs) are particles of matter that are between 1 to 100 nm in diameter. They are suggested to cause toxic effects in both humans and environment thorough different mechanisms. However, their toxicity profile may be different from the parent material. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs are widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. As a white pigment, the use of TiO2 is used in food coloring, industrial paints, clothing and UV filters has increased tremendously in recent years. Melatonin, on the other hand, is a well-known antioxidant and may prevent oxidative stress caused by a variety of different substances, including NPs. In the current study, we aimed to comparatively investigate the effects of normal-sized TiO2 (220 nm) and nano-sized TiO2 (21 nm) on cytopathology, cytotoxicity, oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and glutathione), genotoxicity (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine), apoptosis (caspase 3, 8 and 9) and epigenetic alterations (global DNA methylation, H3 acetylation) on 3T3 fibroblast cells. In addition, the possible protective effects of melatonin, which is known to have strong antioxidant effects, against the toxicity of TiO2 were also evaluated. Study groups were: a. the control group; b. melatonin group; c. TiO2 group; d. nano-sized TiO2 group; e. TiO2 + melatonin group and f. nano-sized TiO2 + melatonin group. We observed that both normal-sized and nano-sized TiO2 NPs showed significant toxic effects. However, TiO2 NPs caused higher DNA damage and global DNA methylation compared to normal-sized TiO2 whereas normal-sized TiO2 led to lower H3 acetylation vs. TiO2 NPs. Melatonin showed partial protective effect against the toxicity caused by TiO2 NPs.

Targosomes: Anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers for bioimaging, chemotherapy and local photothermal treatment of tumors and remote metastases

Developing combined cancer therapy strategies is of utmost importance as it can enhance treatment efficacy, overcome drug resistance, and ultimately improve patient outcomes by targeting multiple pathways and mechanisms involved in cancer growth and progression. Specifically, the potential of developing a combination chemo&photothermal therapy using targeted polymer nanoparticles as nanocarriers offers a promising approach for synergistic cancer treatment by combining the benefits of both therapies, such as targeted drug delivery and localized hyperthermia. Here, we report the first targeted anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers, called targosomes, that simultaneously possess photothermal, chemotherapeutic and diagnostic properties using only molecular payloads. Biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), PLGA, nanoparticles were loaded with photosensitizer phthalocyanine, diagnostic dye Nile Blue, and chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan, which was chosen as a result of screening a panel of theragnostic nanoparticles. The targeted delivery to cell surface oncomarker HER2 was ensured by nanoparticle modification with the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, using the one-pot synthesis method without chemical conjugation. The irradiation tests revealed prominent photothermal properties of nanoparticles, namely heating by 35 °C in 10 min. Nanoparticles exhibited a 7-fold increase in binding and nearly an 18-fold increase in cytotoxicity for HER2-overexpressing cells compared to cells lacking HER2 expression. This enhancement of cytotoxicity was further amplified by >20-fold under NIR light irradiation. In vivo studies proved the efficacy of nanoparticles for bioimaging of primary tumor and metastasis sites and demonstrated 93% tumor growth inhibition, making these nanoparticles excellent candidates for translation into theragnostic applications.

Nanotechnology-based fungal detection and treatment: current status and future perspective

Fungal infections impose a significant impact on global health and encompass major expenditures in medical treatments. Human mycoses, a fungal co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2, is caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Recently, there is increasing threat about spread of antimicrobial resistance in fungus, mostly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections are associated with several issues, including tedious and non-selective detection methods, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, severe side effects, and ineffective drug delivery. Thus, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method and a high-efficacy and low-toxicity therapeutic approach are needed. Nanomedicine has emerged as a viable option for overcoming these limitations. Due to the unique physicochemical and optical properties of nanomaterials and newer biosensing techniques, nanodiagnostics play an important role in the accurate and prompt differentiation and detection of fungal diseases. Additionally, nano-based drug delivery techniques can increase drug permeability, reduce adverse effects, and extend systemic circulation time and drug half-life. This review paper is aimed at highlighting recent, promising, and unique trends in nanotechnology to design and develop diagnostics and treatment methods for fungal diseases.

Food-grade titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles induce toxicity and cardiac damage after oral exposure in rats

BACKGROUND

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used as food additives for human consumption. NPs reach the bloodstream given their small size, getting in contact with all body organs and cells. NPs have adverse effects on the respiratory and intestinal tract; however, few studies have focused on the toxic consequences of orally ingested metallic NPs on the cardiovascular system. Here, the effects of two food-grade additives on the cardiovascular system were analyzed.

METHODS

Titanium dioxide labeled as E171 and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs were orally administered to Wistar rats using an esophageal cannula at 10 mg/kg bw every other day for 90 days. We evaluated cardiac cell morphology and death, expression of apoptotic and autophagic proteins in cardiac mitochondria, mitochondrial dysfunction, and concentration of metals on cardiac tissue.

RESULTS

Heart histology showed important morphological changes such as presence of cellular infiltrates, collagen deposition and mitochondrial alterations in hearts from rats exposed to E171 and ZnO NPs. Intracellular Cyt-C levels dropped, while TUNEL positive cells increased. No significant changes in the expression of inflammatory cytokines were detected. Both NPs altered mitochondrial function indicating cardiac dysfunction, which was associated with an elevated concentration of calcium. ZnO NPs induced expression of caspases 3 and 9 and two autophagic proteins, LC3B and beclin-1, and had the strongest effect compared to E171.

CONCLUSIONS

E171 and ZnO NPs induce adverse cardiovascular effects in rats after 90 days of exposure, thus food intake containing these additives, should be taken into consideration, since they translocate into the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular damage.

Cancer treatment and toxicity outlook of nanoparticles

Diversified nanosystems with tunable physicochemical attributes have emerged as potential solution to globally devastating cancer by offering novel possibilities for improving the techniques of cancer detection, imaging, therapies, diagnosis, drug delivery and treatment. Drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles (NPs) with ability of crossing different biological barriers are becoming increasingly popular. Besides, NPs are utilized in pharmaceutical sciences to mitigate the toxicity of conventional cancer therapeutics. However, significant NPs-associated toxicity, off-targeted activities, and low biocompatibility limit their utilization for cancer theranostics and can be hazardous to cancer patients up to life-threatening conditions. NPs interact with the biomolecules and disturb their regular function by aggregating inside cells and forming a protein corona, and the formulation turns ineffective in controlling cancer cell growth. The adverse interactions between NPs and biological entities can lead to life-threatening toxicities. This review focuses on the widespread use of various NPs including zinc oxide, titanium oxide, silver, and gold, which serve as efficient nano-vehicles and demonstrate notable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages in cancer therapy. Subsequently, the mechanism of nanotoxicity attached with these NPs, alternate solutions and their prospect to revolutionize cancer theranostics are highlighted. This review will serve as guide for future developments associated with high-performance NPs with controlled toxicity for establishing them as modern-age nanotools to manage cancer in tailored manner.

Environmental effects and interaction of nanoparticles on beneficial soil and aquatic microorganisms

A steadily increasing production volume of nanoparticles reflects their numerous industrial and domestic applications. These economic successes come with the potential adverse effects on natural systems that are associated with their presence in the environment. Biological activities and effects of nanoparticles are affected by their entry method together with their specificities like their size, shape, charge, area, and chemical composition. Particles can be classified as safe or dangerous depending on their specific properties. As both aquatic and terrestrial systems suffer from organic and inorganic contamination, nanoparticles remain a sink for these contaminants. Researching the sources, synthesis, fate, and toxicity of nanoparticles has advanced significantly during the last ten years. We summarise nanoparticle pathways throughout the ecosystem and their interactions with beneficial microorganisms in this research. The prevalence of nanoparticles in the ecosystem causes beneficial microorganisms to become hazardous to their cells, which prevents the synthesis of bioactive molecules from undergoing molecular modifications and diminishes the microbe population. Recently, observed concentrations in the field could support predictions of ambient concentrations based on modeling methodologies. The aim is to illustrate the beneficial and negative effects that nanoparticles have on aqueous and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the methods utilized to reduce their toxicity.

VDAC1 Protein Regulation of Oxidative Damage and Mitochondrial Dysfunction-Mediated Cytotoxicity by Silica Nanoparticles in SH-SY5Y Cells

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been widely used in industry, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, it is also widely used in medicine, tumor treatment and diagnosis, as well as other biomedical and biotechnology fields. The opportunities for people to contact SiNPs through iatrogenic, occupational, and environmental exposures are gradually increasing. The damage and biological effects of SiNPs on the nervous system have attracted widespread attention in the field of toxicology. Central nerve cells are rich in mitochondria. It is suggested that the effects of SiNPs on mitochondrial damage of nerve cells may involve the maintenance of neuronal membrane potential, the synthesis and operation of neurotransmitters, and the transmission of nerve pulses, and so on. We established an experimental model of SH-SY5Y cells to detect the cell survival rate, apoptosis, changes of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential, and the expression of mitochondrial function-related enzymes and proteins, so as to reveal the possible mechanism of SiNPs on neuronal mitochondrial damage. It was found that SiNPs could cause oxidative damage to cells and mitochondria, destroy some normal functions of mitochondria, and induce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. The voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) protein inhibitor DIDS could effectively reduce intracellular oxidative stress, such as the reduction of ROS content, and could also usefully restore some functional proteins of mitochondria to normal levels. The inhibition of VDAC1 protein may play an important role in the oxidative damage and dysfunction of neuronal mitochondria induced by SiNPs.

Investigation of in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of gold nanoparticles capped with meropenem and imipenem

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of gold nanoparticles capped with meropenem and imipenem against various strains and to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of gold nanoparticles on healthy human colon epithelial cells. Materials & methods: Gold nanoparticles were synthesized via the Turkevich method and tested for antimicrobial effects using broth microdilution. Cell culture studies were performed using a cytotoxicity assay with alamarBlue™. Results & conclusion: Nanoparticles (10-20 nm) with antibiotic coating were more effective against Escherichia coli, Proteus spp. and Serratia marcescens than pure antibiotics. They had a cytotoxic effect on cells at high concentrations but were safe at low concentrations.

Predicting cytotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles using regularized regression models: an in silico approach

The widespread application of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in various industries has demonstrated their effectiveness over the years. However, modifications to NPs' physicochemical properties can lead to toxicological effects. Therefore, understanding the toxicity behaviour of NPs is crucial. In this paper, regularized regression models, such as ridge, LASSO, and elastic net, were constructed to predict the cytotoxicity of various engineered NPs. The dataset utilized in this study was compiled from several journals published between 2010 and 2022. Data exploration revealed missing values, which were addressed through listwise deletion and kNN imputation, resulting in two complete datasets. The ridge, LASSO, and elastic net models achieved F1 scores ranging from 91.81% to 92.65% during internal validation and 92.89% to 93.63% during external validation on Dataset 1. On Dataset 2, the models attained F1 scores between 92.16% and 92.43% during internal validation and 92% and 92.6% during external validation. These results indicate that the developed models effectively generalize to unseen data and demonstrate high accuracy in classifying cytotoxicity levels. Furthermore, the cell type, material, cell source, cell tissue, synthesis method, and coat or functional group were identified as the most important descriptors by the three models across both datasets.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Food Packaging and Their Influence on Human Health

It is a matter of common knowledge in the literature that engineered metal oxide nanoparticles have properties that are efficient for the design of innovative food/beverage packages. Although nanopackages have many benefits, there are circumstances when these materials are able to release nanoparticles into the food/beverage matrix. Once dispersed into food, engineered metal oxide nanoparticles travel through the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently enter human cells, where they display various behaviors influencing human health or wellbeing. This review article provides an insight into the antimicrobial mechanisms of metal oxide nanoparticles as essential for their benefits in food/beverage packaging and provides a discussion on the oral route of these nanoparticles from nanopackages to the human body. This contribution also highlights the potential toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles for human health. The fact that only a small number of studies address the issue of food packaging based on engineered metal oxide nanoparticles should be particularly noted.

Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Cultural Heritage Conservation, Risk of Toxicity, and Preventive Measures

Nanotechnology has allowed for significant progress in architectural, artistic, archaeological, or museum heritage conservation for repairing and preventing damages produced by deterioration agents (weathering, contaminants, or biological actions). This review analyzes the current treatments using nanomaterials, including consolidants, biocides, hydrophobic protectives, mechanical resistance improvers, flame-retardants, and multifunctional nanocomposites. Unfortunately, nanomaterials can affect human and animal health, altering the environment. Right now, it is a priority to stop to analyze its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the aims are to raise awareness about the nanotoxicity risks during handling and the subsequent environmental exposure to all those directly or indirectly involved in conservation processes. It reports the human-body interaction mechanisms and provides guidelines for preventing or controlling its toxicity, mentioning the current toxicity research of main compounds and emphasizing the need to provide more information about morphological, structural, and specific features that ultimately contribute to understanding their toxicity. It provides information about the current documents of international organizations (European Commission, NIOSH, OECD, Countries Normative) about worker protection, isolation, laboratory ventilation control, and debris management. Furthermore, it reports the qualitative risk assessment methods, management strategies, dose control, and focus/receptor relationship, besides the latest trends of using nanomaterials in masks and gas emissions control devices, discussing their risk of toxicity.

Metal-Based Nanoparticles and Their Relevant Consequences on Cytotoxicity Cascade and Induced Oxidative Stress

Emerging nanoscience allows us to take advantage of the improved evolutionary components and apply today’s advanced characterization and fabrication techniques to solve environmental and biological problems. Despite the promise that nanotechnology will improve our lives, the potential risks of technology remain largely uncertain. The lack of information on bio-impacts and the absence of consistent standards are the limitations of using metal-based nanoparticles (mNPs) for existing applications. To analyze the role played by the mNPs physicochemical characteristics and tactics to protect live beings, the field of nanotoxicology nowadays is focused on collecting and analyzing data from in vitro and in vivo investigations. The degree of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress caused by material nanoparticles (NPs) depends on many factors, such as size, shape, chemical composition, etc. These characteristics enable NPs to enter cells and interact with biological macromolecules and cell organelles, resulting in oxidative damage, an inflammatory response, the development of mitochondrial dysfunction, damage to genetic material, or cytotoxic effects. This report explored the mechanisms and cellular signaling cascades of mNPs-induced oxidative stress and the relevant health consequences.

Transcriptomic Profiling the Effects of Airway Exposure of Zinc Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles in Mouse Lungs

Consumers and manufacturers are exposed to nanosized zinc oxide (nZnO) and silver particles (nAg) via airways, but their biological effects are still not fully elucidated. To understand the immune effects, we exposed mice to 2, 10, or 50 μg of nZnO or nAg by oropharyngeal aspiration and analyzed the global gene expression profiles and immunopathological changes in the lungs after 1, 7, or 28 days. Our results show that the kinetics of responses varied in the lungs. Exposure to nZnO resulted in the highest accumulation of F4/80- and CD3-positive cells, and the largest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after day 1, while exposure to nAg caused peak responses at day 7. Additionally, nZnO mainly activated the innate immune responses leading to acute inflammation, whereas the nAg activated both innate and adaptive immune pathways, with long-lasting effects. This kinetic-profiling study provides an important data source to understand the cellular and molecular processes underlying nZnO- and nAg-induced transcriptomic changes, which lead to the characterization of the corresponding biological and toxicological effects of nZnO and nAg in the lungs. These findings could improve science-based hazard and risk assessment and the development of safe applications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), e.g., in biomedical applications.

Chitosan-Based Nano-Smart Drug Delivery System in Breast Cancer Therapy

Despite recent advances, cancer remains the primary killer on a global scale. Numerous forms of research have been conducted to discover novel and efficient anticancer medications. The complexity of breast cancer is a major challenge which is coupled with patient-to-patient variations and heterogeneity between cells within the tumor. Revolutionary drug delivery is expected to provide a solution to that challenge. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have prospects as a revolutionary delivery system capable of enhancing anticancer drug activity and reducing negative impacts on normal cells. The use of smart drug delivery systems (SDDs) as delivering materials to improve the bioactivity of NPs and to understand the intricacies of breast cancer has garnered significant interest. There are many reviews about CSNPs that present various points of view, but they have not yet described a series in cancer therapy from cell uptake to cell death. With this description, we will provide a more complete picture for designing preparations for SDDs. This review describes CSNPs as SDDSs, enhancing cancer therapy targeting and stimulus response using their anticancer mechanism. Multimodal chitosan SDDs as targeting and stimulus response medication delivery will improve therapeutic results.

Predicting the toxicity of nanoparticles using artificial intelligence tools: a systematic review

Nanoparticles have been used extensively in different scientific fields. Due to the possible destructive effects of nanoparticles on the environment or the biological systems, their toxicity evaluation is a crucial phase for studying nanomaterial safety. In the meantime, experimental approaches for toxicity assessment of various nanoparticles are expensive and time-consuming. Thus, an alternative technique, such as artificial intelligence (AI), could be valuable for predicting nanoparticle toxicity. Therefore, in this review, the AI tools were investigated for the toxicity assessment of nanomaterials. To this end, a systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Articles were included or excluded based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and duplicate studies were excluded. Finally, twenty-six studies were included. The majority of the studies were conducted on metal oxide and metallic nanoparticles. In addition, Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) had the most frequency in the included studies. Most of the models demonstrated acceptable performance. Overall, AI could provide a robust, fast, and low-cost tool for the evaluation of nanoparticle toxicity.

Structural parameters of nanoparticles affecting their toxicity for biomedical applications: a review

Rapidly growing interest in using nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications has increased concerns about their safety and toxicity. In comparison with bulk materials, NPs are more chemically active and toxic due to the greater surface area and small size. Understanding the NPs' mechanism of toxicity, together with the factors influencing their behavior in biological environments, can help researchers to design NPs with reduced side effects and improved performance. After overviewing the classification and properties of NPs, this review article discusses their biomedical applications in molecular imaging and cell therapy, gene transfer, tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, cancer treatment, wound healing, and anti-bacterial applications. There are different mechanisms of toxicity of NPs, and their toxicity and behaviors depend on various factors, which are elaborated on in this article. More specifically, the mechanism of toxicity and their interactions with living components are discussed by considering the impact of different physiochemical parameters such as size, shape, structure, agglomeration state, surface charge, wettability, dose, and substance type. The toxicity of polymeric, silica-based, carbon-based, and metallic-based NPs (including plasmonic alloy NPs) have been considered separately.

Nanomaterials and Their Impact on the Immune System

Nanomaterials have been the focus of intensive development and research in the medical and industrial sectors over the past several decades. Some studies have found that these compounds can have a detrimental impact on living organisms, including their cellular components. Despite the obvious advantages of using nanomaterials in a wide range of applications, there is sometimes skepticism caused by the lack of substantial proof that evaluates potential toxicities. The interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells of the immune system and their biomolecule pathways are an area of interest for researchers. It is possible to modify NPs so that they are not recognized by the immune system or so that they suppress or stimulate the immune system in a targeted manner. In this review, we look at the literature on nanomaterials for immunostimulation and immunosuppression and their impact on how changing the physicochemical features of the particles could alter their interactions with immune cells for the better or for the worse (immunotoxicity). We also look into whether the NPs have a unique or unexpected (but desired) effect on the immune system, and whether the surface grafting of polymers or surface coatings makes stealth nanomaterials that the immune system cannot find and get rid of.

Ameliorative Effects of some Natural Antioxidants against Blood and Cardiovascular Toxicity of Oral Subchronic Exposure to Silicon Dioxide, Aluminum Oxide, or Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Wistar Rats

The present study determines the possible protective role of fig fruit extract with olive oil and date palm fruit extract (FOD) in decreasing the oral subchronic blood and cardiovascular toxicity of SiO₂NPs, Al₂O₃NPs, or ZnONPs. The present study used 80 male Wistar rats (8 groups, n = 10) distributed according to the treatment. The FOD treatments were used at their recommended antioxidant doses. All nanoparticles (NPs) were given orally and daily at doses of 100 mg/kg for 75 days. The oral administration of different NPs alone led to dramatic, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, blood coagulation, endothelial dysfunction markers, myocardial enzymes, hematological parameters, lipid profile, and histopathological features compared with the control group. The FOD-NP-treated groups recorded significantly ameliorated blood and cardiovascular toxicity hazards compared to the groups administered with the NPs alone. In conclusion, the administration of FOD provides considerable chemopreventive and ameliorative effects against NP toxicity.

Ecotoxicological assessment of magnetite and magnetite/Ag nanoparticles on terrestrial and aquatic biota from different trophic levels

The aim of the study is an ecotoxicological assessment of magnetite iron oxide-based nanoparticles (NPs), which have risen in popularity in the last decade, on selected terrestrial and aquatic organisms from various levels of the food chain. In the presented study various organisms, from both the terrestrial and aquatic environment, were used as targets for the assessment of NPs ecotoxicity. Plants (radish, oat), marine bacteria (A. fischeri) and crustacean (H. incongruens) were used to represent producers, decomposers, and consumers, respectively. It was found that examined NPs were harmful (to a different degree) to biota from three different trophic levels. Physicochemical characterization (size/morphology, crystallinity, composition, and magnetic properties) of the tested nanoparticles was performed by: transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy, respectively. Phytotoxicity was evaluated according to the OECD 208 Guideline, while acute and chronic toxicity of NPs was conducted using bioassays employing bacteria and crustacea, respectively. The phytotoxicity of all investigated iron oxide-based NPs was dependent on concentration and type of NPs formulation and was measured via biomass, seed germination, root length, shoot height, and content of plant pigments. Increasing the concentration of NPs increased phytotoxicity and mortality of aquatic organisms. Ecotoxicity of iron oxide/silver was dependent on the size and content of silver. Iron oxide NPs coated with nanosilver in a percentage ratio of 69/31 were found to be the most toxic on tested terrestrial and aquatic biota.

Hemolytic Activity of Nanoparticles as a Marker of Their Hemocompatibility

The potential use of nanomaterials in medicine offers opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches to treating complex disorders. For that reason, a new branch of science, named nanotoxicology, which aims to study the dangerous effects of nanomaterials on human health and on the environment, has recently emerged. However, the toxicity and risk associated with nanomaterials are unclear or not completely understood. The development of an adequate experimental strategy for assessing the toxicity of nanomaterials may include a rapid/express method that will reliably, quickly, and cheaply make an initial assessment. One possibility is the characterization of the hemocompatibility of nanomaterials, which includes their hemolytic activity as a marker. In this review, we consider various factors affecting the hemolytic activity of nanomaterials and draw the reader's attention to the fact that the formation of a protein corona around a nanoparticle can significantly change its interaction with the red cell. This leads us to suggest that the nanomaterial hemolytic activity in the buffer does not reflect the situation in the blood plasma. As a recommendation, we propose studying the hemocompatibility of nanomaterials under more physiologically relevant conditions, in the presence of plasma proteins in the medium and under mechanical stress.

Applications of Metallic Nanoparticles in the Skin Cancer Treatment

Skin cancer is one of leading cancers globally, divided into two major categories including melanoma and nonmelanoma. Skin cancer is a global concern with an increasing trend, hence novel therapies are essential. The local treatment strategies play a key role in skin cancer therapy. Nanoparticles (NPs) exert potential applications in medicine with huge advantages and have the ability to overcome common chemotherapy problems. Recently, NPs have been used in nanomedicine as promising drug delivery systems. They can enhance the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs, improve pharmacokinetic properties, modify bioavailability, and reduce drug metabolism. The high-efficient, nontoxic, low-cost, and specific cancer therapy is a promising goal, which can be achieved by the development of nanotechnology. Metallic NPs (MNPs) can act as important platforms. MNPs development seeks to enhance the therapeutic efficiency of medicines through site specificity, prevention of multidrug resistance, and effective delivery of therapeutic factors. MNPs are used as potential arms in the case of cancer recognition, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and colloidal mediators for magnetic hyperthermia of cancer. The applications of MNPs in the cancer treatment studies are mostly due to their potential to carry a large dose of drug, resulting in a high concentration of anticancer drugs at the target site. Therefore, off-target toxicity and suffering side effects caused by high concentration of the drug in other parts of the body are avoided. MNPs have been applied as drug carriers for the of improvement of skin cancer treatment and drug delivery. The development of MNPs improves the results of many cancer treatments. Different types of NPs, such as inorganic and organic NPs have been investigated in vitro and in vivo for the skin cancer therapy. MNPs advantages mostly include biodegradability, electrostatic charge, good biocompatibility, high drug payload, and low toxicity. However, the use of controlled-release systems stimulated by electromagnetic waves, temperature, pH, and light improves the accumulation in tumor tissues and improves therapeutic outcomes. This study (2019-2022) is aimed at reviewing applications of MNPs in the skin cancer therapy.

Lack of mutagenicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in vitro despite cellular and nuclear uptake

The potential genotoxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) is a conflictive topic because both positive and negative findings have been reported. To add clarity, we have carried out a study with two cell lines (V79-4 and A549) to evaluate the effects of TiO₂ NPs (NM-101), with a diameter ranging from 15 to 60 nm, at concentrations 1-75 μg/cm². Using two different dispersion procedures, cell uptake was determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Mutagenicity was evaluated using the Hprt gene mutation test, while genotoxicity was determined with the comet assay, detecting both DNA breaks and oxidized DNA bases (with formamidopyrimidine glycosylase - Fpg). Cell internalization, as determined by TEM, shows TiO₂ NM-101 in cytoplasmic vesicles, as well as close to and inside the nucleus. Such internalization did not depend on the state of agglomeration, nor the dispersion used. In spite of such internalization, no cytotoxicity was detected in V79-4 cells (relative growth activity and plating efficiency assays) or in A549 cells (AlamarBlue assay) after exposure lasting for 24 h. However, a significant decrease in the relative growth activity was detected at longer exposure times (48 and 72 h) and at the highest concentration 75 µg/cm². When the modified enzyme-linked alkaline comet assay was performed on A549 cells, although no significant induction of DNA damage was detected, a positive concentration-effects relationship was observed (Spearman's correlation = 0.9, p 0.0001). Furthermore, no significant increase of DNA oxidized purine bases was observed. When the frequency of Hprt gene mutants was determined in V79-4 cells, no increase was observed in the exposed cells, relative to the unexposed cultures. Our general conclusion is that, under our experimental conditions, TiO₂ NM-101 exposure does not exert mutagenic effects despite the evidence of NP uptake by V79-4 cells.

Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid-based nanoparticles as delivery systems for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Cancer has emerged as one of the most severe diseases in modern times, various therapies have advanced remarkably in recent decades. Unlike the direct therapeutic targeting tumor cells, immunotherapy is a promising strategy that stimulate the immune system. In cancer immunotherapy, polymeric-based nanoparticles can serve as deliver systems for antigens and immunostimulatory molecules, and they have attracted increasing attention and revolutionized cancer therapy. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is the most frequently used clinically approved biodegradable polymer and has a broad scope of modification of its inherent properties. Recent advances in PLGA based drug delivery systems in cancer immunotherapy have been described in this mini review, with special emphasis on cancer vaccines and tumor microenvironment modulation.

Nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an advanced technology to fabricate artificial 3D tissue constructs containing cells and hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Nanocomposite reinforcement endows hydrogels with superior properties and tailored functionalities. A broad range of nanomaterials, including silicon-based, ceramic-based, cellulose-based, metal-based, and carbon-based nanomaterials, have been incorporated into hydrogel networks with encapsulated cells for improved performances. This review emphasizes the recent developments of cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting, focusing on their reinforcement effects and mechanisms, including viscosity, shear-thinning property, printability, mechanical properties, structural integrity, and biocompatibility. The cell-material interactions are discussed to elaborate on the underlying mechanisms between the cells and the nanomaterials. The biomedical applications of cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks are summarized with a focus on bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Finally, the limitations and challenges of current cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks are identified. The prospects are concluded in designing multi-component bioinks with multi-functionality for various biomedical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 3D bioprinting, an emerging technology of additive manufacturing, has been one of the most innovative tools for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent developments of cell-laden nanocomposite bioinks for 3D bioprinting, and cell-materials interactions are the subject of this review paper. The reinforcement effects and mechanisms of nanocomposites on viscosity, printability and biocompatibility of bioinks and 3D printed scaffolds are addressed mainly for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. It provides detailed information for further designing and optimizing multi-component bioinks with multi-functionality for specialized biomedical applications.

Ferritin: A Promising Nanoreactor and Nanocarrier for Bionanotechnology

The essence of bionanotechnology lies in the application of nanotechnology/nanomaterials to solve the biological problems. Quantum dots and nanoparticles hold potential biomedical applications, but their inherent problems such as low solubility and associated toxicity due to their interactions at nonspecific target sites is a major concern. The self-assembled, thermostable, ferritin protein nanocages possessing natural iron scavenging ability have emerged as a potential solution to all the above-mentioned problems by acting as nanoreactor and nanocarrier. Ferritins, the cellular iron repositories, are hollow, spherical, symmetric multimeric protein nanocages, which sequester the excess of free Fe(II) and synthesize iron biominerals (Fe₂O₃·H₂O) inside their ∼5-8 nm central cavity. The electrostatics and dynamics of the pore residues not only drives the natural substrate Fe²⁺ inside ferritin nanocages but also uptakes a set of other metals ions/counterions during in vitro synthesis of nanomaterial. The current review aims to report the recent developments/understanding on ferritin structure (self-assembly, surface/pores electrostatics, metal ion binding sites) and chemistry occurring inside these supramolecular protein cages (protein mediated metal ion uptake and mineralization/nanoparticle formation) along with its surface modification to exploit them for various nanobiotechnological applications. Furthermore, a better understanding of ferritin self-assembly would be highly useful for optimizing the incorporation of nanomaterials via the disassembly/reassembly approach. Several studies have reported the successful engineering of these ferritin protein nanocages in order to utilize them as potential nanoreactor for synthesizing/incorporating nanoparticles and as nanocarrier for delivering imaging agents/drugs at cell specific target sites. Therefore, the combination of nanoscience (nanomaterials) and bioscience (ferritin protein) projects several benefits for various applications ranging from electronics to medicine.

Biological Synthesis of Low Cytotoxicity Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the Fungus Chaetomium thermophilum—Sustainable Nanotechnology

Fungal biotechnology research has rapidly increased as a result of the growing awareness of sustainable development and the pressing need to explore eco-friendly options. In the nanotechnology field, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are currently being studied for application in cancer therapy, tumour detection, drug delivery, and elsewhere. Therefore, synthesising nanoparticles (NPs) with low toxicity has become essential in the biomedical area. The fungus Chaetomium thermophilum (C. thermophilum) was here investigated—to the best of our knowledge, for the first time—for application in the production of AgNPs. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) images demonstrated a spherical AgNP shape, with an average size of 8.93 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) confirmed the presence of elemental silver. A neutral red uptake (NRU) test evaluated the cytotoxicity of the AgNPs at different inhibitory concentrations (ICs). A half-maximal concentration (IC50 = 119.69 µg/mL) was used to predict a half-maximal lethal dose (LD50 = 624.31 mg/kg), indicating a Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) acute toxicity estimate (ATE) classification category of 4. The fungus extract showed a non-toxic profile at the IC tested. Additionally, the interaction between the AgNPs and the Balb/c 3T3 NIH cells at an ultrastructural level resulted in preserved cells structures at non-toxic concentrations (IC20 = 91.77 µg/mL), demonstrating their potential as sustainable substitutes for physical and chemically made AgNPs. Nonetheless, at the IC50, the cytoplasm of the cells was damaged and mitochondrial morphological alteration was evident. This fact highlights the fact that dose-dependent phenomena are involved, as well as emphasising the importance of investigating NPs’ effects on mitochondria, as disruption to this organelle can impact health.

Release of Interleukin-1β evaluation among mineral oil mist–exposed workers

Exposure to aerosols has been found to be linked to respiratory impairment. Although the effects of both indoor and outdoor exposures to particulates have been extensively reported, exposures to mists are less studied. Herein, we reported a survey of mineral oil mist toxicity in an occupational exposure scenario. For the purpose of this study, 65 lathe workers of the metal processing industry, as mineral oil mist–exposed population, were studied. Thereafter, the participants’ age, smoking habits and work experience were matched with those of the control workers ( n = 65) who were not occupationally exposed to mist. Thereafter, air samples were evaluated from the breathing zone of the workers using NIOSH method 5026. Plasma Interleukin-1β as a pro-inflammatory indicator was assessed in all the studied subjects. Mean ± standard deviation of mineral oil mist time-weighted average exposure in lathe workers was 7.10± 3.49 mg/m3. IL-1β cytokine levels were significantly higher in the lathe groups compared to the control group. The mean level of Interleukin-1β in the control subjects (2922 pg/L) was selected as the cut-off point of the inflammation effect. Based on this pro-inflammatory point, the results of monitoring showed that 60% of the exposed were affected. A Spearman correlation was also found between mineral oil mist exposure and inflammation in the affected subjects. Our findings highlighted the immunological potential of mineral oil mist in occupational exposure. Overall, the results of this study suggested that Interleukin-1β evaluation in mineral oil mist exposure could be considered as both an acute and chronic inflammation marker.

The effects of dietary exposure to Magnéli phase titanium suboxide and titanium dioxide on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Magnéli phase titanium suboxides (Magnéli TiO_x) are promising, novel materials with superior properties compared to TiO₂, they are substoichiometric titanium oxides with the chemical formula Ti_nO_2n-1 (where n ≥ 1). In this study, for the first time, subchronic effects of dietary intake of Magnéli TiO_x were evaluated and compared with TiO₂ particles of similar size, in concentrations 0.1% and 0.01% of feed. The experiment consisted of 38 d of an exposition period and 14 d of a depuration period. Minor effects on plasma biochemical profile and morphological parameters were recorded. A reduced count of leukocytes was found in the blood of both Magnéli TiO_x and TiO₂ exposed fish, suggesting immunotoxic effects. Erythrocytosis was specific for Magnéli TiO_x. Indices of oxidative stress, namely increased lipid peroxidation in liver, increased activity of superoxide dismutase in liver, kidney and gills and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in gills, as well as decreased activity of ceruloplasmin and GST in liver were found predominantly in fish exposed to TiO₂. Histopathological examination revealed increased lipid-like vacuolation in the liver, the presence of hyaline droplets in renal tubules and multiplication of mucous glands in the epidermis in both tested substances and intestine damage in TiO₂ groups. Overall, in Magnéli TiO_x exposed groups, fewer adverse effects compared to TiO₂ expositions were recorded. Their wider practical implementation in place of TiO₂ is therefore beneficial.

Toxicological Impacts on Antioxidant Responses, Stress Protein, and Genotoxicity Parameters of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles in the Liver of Oreochromis niloticus

The aim of this study was to determine the toxic effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) on oxidative stress, stress protein, and genotoxicity parameters in Oreochromis niloticus. Ninety-six-hour LC₅₀ value of Al₂O₃ NPs was found as 52.4 ppm for O. niloticus. The fish were exposed to 2.6 ppm (5% of the 96-h LC₅₀) and 5.2 ppm (10% of the 96-h LC₅₀) for 3 days and 7 days. Various biochemical parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70; stress protein), and genotoxicity biomarker 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, were determined. Results showed that antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased in SOD, CAT, and GPx enzyme activity, but GST enzyme activity was significantly increased in 7 days. The oxidative stress parameters, GSH levels, were significantly decreased while 8-OHdG and TBARS levels were increased in 3 and 7 days. HSP70 levels were decreased in the concentrations of Al₂O₃ NPs and exposure times. Our results showed that as a result of changes in oxidative stress parameters, stress protein, and genotoxicity parameters, O. niloticus liver tissue is highly sensitive and toxic to aluminum oxide nanoparticle exposure.

Functionalized Titanium Nanoparticles Induce Oxidative Stress and Cell Death in Human Skin Cells

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Nano-enabled agrochemicals/materials: Potential human health impact, risk assessment, management strategies and future prospects

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing technology that will have a significant impact on product development in the next few years. The technology is already being employed in cutting-edge cosmetic and healthcare products. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have a strong potential for product and process innovation in the food industrial sector. This is already being demonstrated by food product availability made using nanotechnology. Nanotechnologies will have an impact on food security, packaging materials, delivery systems, bioavailability, and new disease detection materials in the food production chain, contributing to the UN Millennium Development Goals targets. Food products using nanoparticles are already gaining traction into the market, with an emphasis on online sales. This means that pre- and post-marketing regulatory frameworks and risk assessments must meet certain standards. There are potential advantages of nanotechnologies for agriculture, consumers and the food industry at large as they are with other new and growing technologies. However, little is understood about the safety implications of applying nanotechnologies to agriculture and incorporating nanoparticles into food. As a result, policymakers and scientists must move quickly, as regulatory systems appear to require change, and scientists should contribute to these adaptations. Their combined efforts should make it easier to reduce health and environmental impacts while also promoting the economic growth of nanotechnologies in the food supply chain. This review highlighted the benefits of a number of nano enabled agrochemicals/materials, the potential health impacts as well as the risk assessment and risk management for nanoparticles in the agriculture and food production chain.

How the Physicochemical Properties of Manufactured Nanomaterials Affect Their Performance in Dispersion and Their Applications in Biomedicine: A Review

The growth in novel synthesis methods and in the range of possible applications has led to the development of a large variety of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs), which can, in principle, come into close contact with humans and be dispersed in the environment. The nanomaterials interact with the surrounding environment, this being either the proteins and/or cells in a biological medium or the matrix constituent in a dispersion or composite, and an interface is formed whose properties depend on the physicochemical interactions and on colloidal forces. The development of predictive relationships between the characteristics of individual MNMs and their potential practical use critically depends on how the key parameters of MNMs, such as the size, shape, surface chemistry, surface charge, surface coating, etc., affect the behavior in a test medium. This relationship between the biophysicochemical properties of the MNMs and their practical use is defined as their functionality; understanding this relationship is very important for the safe use of these nanomaterials. In this mini review, we attempt to identify the key parameters of nanomaterials and establish a relationship between these and the main MNM functionalities, which would play an important role in the safe design of MNMs; thus, reducing the possible health and environmental risks early on in the innovation process, when the functionality of a nanomaterial and its toxicity/safety will be taken into account in an integrated way. This review aims to contribute to a decision tree strategy for the optimum design of safe nanomaterials, by going beyond the compromise between functionality and safety.

The bright future of nanotechnology in lymphatic system imaging and imaging-guided surgery

Lymphatic system is identified the second vascular system after the blood circulation in mammalian species, however the research on lymphatic system has long been hampered by the lack of comprehensive imaging modality. Nanomaterials have shown the potential to enhance the quality of lymphatic imaging due to the unparalleled advantages such as the specific passive targeting and efficient co-delivery of cocktail to peripheral lymphatic system, ease molecular engineering for precise active targeting and prolonged retention in the lymphatic system of interest. Multimodal lymphatic imaging based on nanotechnology provides a complementary means to understand the kinetics of lymphoid tissues and quantify its function. In this review, we introduce the established approaches of lymphatic imaging used in clinic and summarize their strengths and weaknesses, and list the critical influence factors on lymphatic imaging. Meanwhile, the recent developments in the field of pre-clinical lymphatic imaging are discussed to shed new lights on the design of new imaging agents, the improvement of delivery methods and imaging-guided surgery strategies.

Carbon-Based Materials in Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies Applied to Tumor Destruction

Within phototherapy, a grand challenge in clinical cancer treatments is to develop a simple, cost-effective, and biocompatible approach to treat this disease using ultra-low doses of light. Carbon-based materials (CBM), such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO (r-GO), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and carbon dots (C-DOTs), are rapidly emerging as a new class of therapeutic materials against cancer. This review summarizes the progress made in recent years regarding the applications of CBM in photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapies for tumor destruction. The current understanding of the performance of modified CBM, hybrids and composites, is also addressed. This approach seeks to achieve an enhanced antitumor action by improving and modulating the properties of CBM to treat various types of cancer. Metal oxides, organic molecules, biopolymers, therapeutic drugs, among others, have been combined with CBM to treat cancer by PDT, PTT, or synergistic therapies.

Elaborated survey in the scope of nanocarriers engineering for boosting chemotherapy cytotoxicity: A meta-analysis study

Cancer is the prime cause of mortality throughout the world. Although the conventional chemotherapeutic agents damage the cancerous cells, they exert prominent injury to the normal cells owing to their lack of specificity. With advances in science, many research studies have been established to boost the cytotoxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agents via innovating novel nano-formulations having different variables. In the current meta-analysis study, combined data from different research articles were gathered for the evidence-based proof of the superiority of drug loaded nanocarriers over their corresponding conventional solutions in boosting the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy in terms of IC50 values. The meta-analysis was subdivided into three subgroups; nanoparticles versus nanofibers, surface functionalized nanocarriers versus naked ones, and protein versus non-protein-based platforms. The different subgroups interestingly showed distinct scoring outcome data paving the road for cytotoxicity enhancement of the anti-cancer drugs in an evidence-based manner.

Functional state of the myometrium of rats under chronic in vivo effect of nanostructured ZnO and ТіО2 materials

The specificities of the structure and blood supply of the uterus facilitate a considerable accumulation of nanosized xenobiotics, including nanoparticles of metal oxides, in its tissues. Numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that nanoparticles of metal oxides (ZnO and TiO2) have significant cytotoxic activity, caused by oxidative stress induction. However, there is no information about the impact of these nanomaterials on the functional state of the myometrium under chronic exposure on the organism. Tenzometric methods and mechanokinetic analysis were used in our work to investigate the contractile activity of the myometrium of non-pregnant rats. The contractile activity was either spontaneous or induced by oxytocin (the uterotonic hormone) and acetylcholine (the agonist of muscarinic choline receptors) under chronic peroral intake of the ZnO and TiO2 aqueous nanocolloids into the organism. It was found that after burdening of rats with ZnO and ТіО2 aqueous nanocolloids there were no changes in the pacemaker-dependent mechanisms forming the frequency of spontaneous contractions in the myometrium, but there was a considerably induced increase in the AU index of contractions. It was shown that during the oxytocin-induced excitation of the myometrium under both chronic and short-term burdening of the rats with ZnO and TiO2 aqueous nanocolloids, the mechanisms that regulate the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ions are the target for the nanomaterials. When the rats were burdened with ZnO aqueous nanocolloids for 6 months, during cholinergic excitation there was hyperstimulation of both M3-receptor-dependent mechanisms of Са2+ ions intake via the potential-governed Са2+-channels of L-type into the smooth muscles of the myometrium, and M2-receptor-dependent mechanisms, controlling the intracellular concentration of these cations. Thus, the regularities and mechanisms of the change in the functioning of uterine smooth muscles under chronic intake of the ZnO and TiO2 aqueous nanocolloids were determined in this study.

A review of the effects of metallic nanoparticles on fish

Many important discoveries have been made in the field of nanotechnology in the last 40 years. Since then, nanoparticles became nearly ubiquitous. With their spreading use, safety concerns have warranted extensive research of nanotoxicity. This paper offers information about the occurrence, transport, and behaviour of metallic nanoparticles in the aquatic environment. It further summarizes details about parameters that dictate the toxicity of nanoparticles and discusses the general/common mechanisms of their toxicity. This review also focuses on fish exposure to nanoparticles, including the possibility of trophic transport through the food chain. Information on some of the most frequently used metallic nanoparticles, such as silver, gold, and titanium dioxide, is further elaborated on.

Metabolomics approach to study in vivo toxicity of graphene oxide nanosheets

Although graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are widely used in different fields, the mechanism of their toxicity remains relatively unknown. NMR-based metabolomics was used to study in vivo time and dose-dependent toxicity of GO nanosheets in mice. Sixty serum samples from mice in four different time intervals including 24 and 72 h and 7 and 21 days after injection of 0-, 1-, and 10-mg/kg b.w. were analyzed based on ¹ HNMR spectra of each sample and multivariate methods. In comparison with the control group, 12 changed metabolites were identified in GO nanosheet-treated mice groups. These metabolites are involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis and steroid biosynthesis pathways. It was seen that the time factor is more important than the dose factor and the groups were separated in a time direction, completely. We found that GO nanosheets has toxicity and can affect steroidal hormones. However, this study shows that after 21 days, the treated groups regardless of their GO nanosheet dose are very close to the control group. This means that in one step exposure to GO nanosheets, their toxicity diminished after 21 days.

Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: Nanotoxicology

Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles' toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.

Toxicity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs): A review

Gold nanoparticles are a kind of nanomaterials that have received great interest in field of biomedicine due to their electrical, mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical properties. With these great potentials came the consequence of their interaction with biological tissues and molecules which presents the possibility of toxicity. This paper aims to consolidate and bring forward the studies performed that evaluate the toxicological aspect of AuNPs which were categorized into in vivo and in vitro studies. Both indicate to some extent oxidative damage to tissues and cell lines used in vivo and in vitro respectively with the liver, spleen and kidney most affected. The outcome of these review showed small controversy but however, the primary toxicity and its extent is collectively determined by the characteristics, preparations and physicochemical properties of the NPs. Some studies have shown that AuNPs are not toxic, though many other studies contradict this statement. In order to have a holistic inference, more studies are required that will focus on characterization of NPs and changes of physical properties before and after treatment with biological media. So also, they should incorporate controlled experiment which includes supernatant control Since most studies dwell on citrate or CTAB-capped AuNPs, there is the need to evaluate the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of functionalized AuNPs with their surface composition which in turn affects their toxicity. Functionalizing the NPs surface with more peculiar ligands would however help regulate and detoxify the uptake of these NPs.

An updated overview on metal nanoparticles toxicity

Although thousands of different nanoparticles (NPs) have been identified and synthesized to date, well-defined, consistent guidelines to control their exposure and evaluate their potential toxicity have yet to be fully established. As potential applications of nanotechnology in numerous fields multiply, there is an increased awareness of the issue of nanomaterials' toxicity among scientists and producers managing them. An updated inventory of customer products containing NPs estimates that they currently number over 5.000; ten years ago, they were one fifth of this. More often than not, products bear no information regarding the presence of NPs in the indicated list of ingredients or components. Consumers are therefore largely unaware of the extent to which nanomaterials have entered our lives, let alone their potential risks. Moreover, the lack of certainties with regard to the safe use of NPs is curbing their applications in the biomedical field, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, where they are performing outstandingly but are not yet being exploited as much as they could. The production of radical oxygen species is a predominant mechanism leading to metal NPs-driven carcinogenesis. The release of particularly reactive metal ions capable of crossing cell membranes has also been implicated in NPs toxicity. In this review we discuss the origin, behavior and biological toxicity of different metal NPs with the aim of rationalizing related health hazards and calling attention to toxicological concerns involved in their increasingly widespread use.

Ovarian toxicity of nanoparticles

The ovary is a highly important organ for female reproduction. The main functions include sex steroid hormone synthesis, follicular development, and achievement of oocyte meiotic and development competence for proper fertilization. Nanoparticle (NP) exposure is becoming unavoidable because of its wide use in different products, including cosmetics, food, health, and personal care products. Studies examining different nonreproductive tissues or systems have shown that characteristics such as the size, shape, core material, agglomeration, and dissolution influence the effects of NPs. However, most studies evaluating NP-mediated reproductive toxicity have paid little or no attention to the influence of the physicochemical characteristics of NP on the observed effects. As accumulating evidence indicates that NP may reach the ovary to impair proper functions, this review summarizes the available data on NP accumulation in ovarian tissue, as well as data describing toxicity to ovarian functions, including sex steroid hormone production, follicular development, oocyte quality, and fertility. Due to their toxicological relevance, this review also describes the main physicochemical characteristics involved in NP toxicity and the importance of considering NP physicochemical characteristics as factors influencing the ovarian toxicity of NPs. Finally, this review summarizes the main mechanisms of toxicity described in ovarian cells.