In vivo skin penetration and metabolic path of quantum dots

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is a potential route of exposure to sunscreens and cosmetics containing nanoparticles; however, the permeability of the skin to these nanoparticles is currently unknown. In this paper, we studied the transdermal delivery capacity through mouse skin of water-soluble CdSeS quantum dots (QDs) and the deposition of these QDs in the body. QD solution was coated onto the dorsal hairless skin of male ICR mice. Fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the distribution of QDs in the skin and organs, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the 111 Cd content to indicate the concentration of QDs in plasma and organs. Experimental results indicate that QDs can penetrate into the dermal layer and are limited to the uppermost stratum corneum layers and the hair follicles. Through blood circulation, QDs deposit mostly in liver and kidney and are difficult to clear. 111 Cd concentration was greater than 14 ng g 1 in kidney after 120 h after 0.32 nmol QDs was applied to a mouse. These results suggest that QDs have in vivo transdermal delivery capacity through mouse skin and are harmful to the liver and kidney. quantum dots, nanoparticles, skin penetration, metabolism, ICP-MS Citation:Tang L, Zhang C L, Song G M, et al. In vivo skin penetration and metabolic path of quantum dots.

Review of the effects of manufactured nanoparticles on mammalian target organs

“…Additionally, the metabolic rate of NPs in various organs is different. For example, while the accumulation of QDs in the liver and kidney could not be effectively eliminated, QDs in the spleen get eliminated within 24 h (Tang, Zhang, Song, Jin, & Xu, ).…”

“…A reduced thickness of the epidermis and papillary layer with regular collagen fibers and inflammation, as well as the increased number of Langerhans cells and round cells were observed in the skin samples of animals treated with silver NPs (Korani et al, ). Researchers speculated that the main permeation mechanism of NPs into the intercellular spaces of the outermost stratum corneum layers in the skin of mice was via hydrophilic pathways, such as hair follicles, sweat pores, and the intercellular spaces between the corneocytes and other nanopores, made possible by the hydrophilic properties of several NPs (Tang et al, ). Although skin could be damaged by dermal exposure to NPs, the NPs ability to impair internal organs through penetrated NPs from the skin is extremely limited.…”

Skin penetration of inorganic and metallic nanoparticles

“…Tang et al [32] provided information on QDs penetration and distribution in skin and toxicity in organs. They studied the transdermal delivery capacity through mouse skin of water-soluble CdSeS QDs and the deposition of these QDs in the body.…”

Convergence of Nanotechnology and Cancer Prevention: Are We There Yet?

“…Skin exposure to nanoparticles as pollution, antibacterials, and sun screen each have some toxicity concerns(115-117). Nanoparticle uptake measurements using quantum dots showed that penetration into the dermal layer is limited to the uppermost stratum corneum layers and the hair follicles(118). Those nanoparticles that enter the blood stream accumulate in the liver and kidney with poor clearance rates(118).…”

“…Nanoparticle uptake measurements using quantum dots showed that penetration into the dermal layer is limited to the uppermost stratum corneum layers and the hair follicles(118). Those nanoparticles that enter the blood stream accumulate in the liver and kidney with poor clearance rates(118). Toxicity can directly affect skin cells by forming reactive oxygen species along with autophagic vacuole accumulation and mitochondria damage(119).…”