Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Small Intestinal Mucosa in Rats

Abstract

Penetration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles into enterocytes after their administration into isolated loop of rat small intestine was shown in vivo by transmission electron microscopy. Using electron diffraction, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were identified in the apical regions of the cells under plasma membranes and in deeper parts of the cytoplasm as solitary objects or small aggregations. Water dispersions of nanoparticles (3-h exposure to high concentrations) caused no appreciable morphological changes in enterocyte ultrastructure. A 28-day subacute intragastric administration of water dispersion of nanoparticles to rats led to titanium accumulation in the liver, their level was significantly higher than in the control group, which was shown by mass spectrometry with inductive-bound plasma. These data indicated the possibility of penetration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles through the gastrointestinal barrier under near-physiological conditions.

Re-evaluation of titanium dioxide (E 171) as a food additive

“…Some particles then entered the general circulation and were taken up by the liver and the spleen. Onishchenko et al (2012) studied the penetration of TiO 2 nanoparticles (rutile; physical characteristics not given) into enterocytes, after administration of water dispersions of the test material (rutile dispersion; 50 mg/cm 3 ) into an isolated loop of Wistar rat small intestine. Penetration was shown in vivo using TEM.…”

Minimal Intestinal Epithelial Cell Toxicity in Response to Short- and Long-Term Food-Relevant Inorganic Nanoparticle Exposure

“…TiO2 injected into rat ileum did not disrupt the structure of the epithelial layer, though the particles were taken up by the cells and eventually reached the liver. 14 In vivo studies with mice fed with SiO2 exhibited liver toxicity. 56 Dynamics of the motion of nanoparticles into systemic circulation, localization in tissues and clearance from the body still needs to be mapped out.…”

“…[8][9][10] Several studies have begun to investigate the toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles to intestinal epithelial cells both in vitro 9 and in vivo. [11][12][13][14] Based on the toxicity studies that have been conducted in different systems, it is apparent that toxicity depends upon many different properties of nanoparticles. Particle size influences toxicity, with nanoparticles showing greater toxicity than their larger counterparts.…”

<p>NLRP3 inflammasome, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced in the intestine and liver of rats treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles: in vivo and in vitro study</p>

“…To the best of the authors' knowledge, few studies have reported the effects of TiO 2 NPs on the intestine and liver as well as the mechanism of action. [6][7][8][9] Previous studies have shown that TiO 2 NPs induce oxidative stress and inflammation in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. [10][11][12] It has also been shown that TiO 2 NPs increase ROS, inflammation, and apoptosis in the respiratory system.…”

“…13 The intestine is an important organ of the body that interacts with the external environment and is directly related to external and toxic substances. 9 In this respect, the small intestine is the major site for the absorption of metabolites and affects whole-body metabolism. The small intestine is exposed to NPs in several ways, which can probably lead to functional and structural changes.…”