Potential toxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles in in vivo and in vitro experiments

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the potential toxic effects of iron(II,III)oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). In in vivo experiments, the toxic effects of IONPs were monitored in adult male Wistar rats by morphological methods after a single intratracheal instillation. For the control group 1 ml of physiological saline per animal was given, and the treatment group received the same volume of a suspension containing 1 and 5 mg kg⁻¹ body weight IONPs. Lungs and internal organs underwent histopathological examination after 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days. The mutagenic effect of these nanoparticles was evaluated by the bacterial reverse mutation assay on Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 strains, and on Escherichia coli WP2uvrA strain, in the presence and absence of the mammalian metabolic activation system S9. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of IONPs was also examined in Vero cells after short-term (4 h) and long-term (24 h) exposure. There were no pathological changes in examined internal organs, except a very weak pulmonary fibrosis developing by the end of the first month in the treated rats. While in vitro MTT assay showed a moderate cytotoxic effect, IONPs proved to be devoid of mutagenic effect in the bacterial systems tested. The results may be a useful extension of our knowledge on the safety of magnetite nanoparticles in view of their possible medical applications, such as in hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging.

Sulphur-Containing Compounds as a Response in Sea Urchins Exposed to Alkylated Silicon Nanocrystals and SiO₂-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

“…Bare IONPs were found to display higher toxicity than those of both coated IONPs. In an in vivo study, Szalay et al [28] studied the toxicity of IONPs in adult male wistar rats. Pathological examination indicated a weak pulmonary fibrosis at the lungs of the exposed rat.…”

“…Pathological examination indicated a weak pulmonary fibrosis at the lungs of the exposed rat. High doses of IONPs showed higher levels of pulmonary fibrosis than lower doses [28]. Gu et al [29] demonstrated that the accumulation of IONPs was observed mainly in the liver and spleen of mice.…”

Accumulation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle and Conventional Iron Oxide in Rat Ovary and Oxidative Stress Caused by It

“…In adults, iron is stored in hepatocytes and tissue macrophages in response to the need for tissue storage and flows in response to the severe needs (2). Tissues can be exposed to iron and iron compounds through different ways including in hereditary diseases such as hemochromatosis or blood transfusions in lethal thalassemia and anemia, long-term hemodialysis, medical practices such as stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, or imaging (3) as well as the presence of iron particles in water, food, and air (4). Free iron, due to the oxidizing ability as well as the ability of producing oxygen radicals through Haber-Weiss reaction and also because of its strong bond with proteins, leads to iron accumulation that is cytotoxic (5).…”

Characterization of intratumor magnetic nanoparticle distribution and heating in a rat model of metastatic spine disease

“…Among the materials and technologies that have been proposed, ferromagnetic nanoparticles coupled with alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) have emerged as particularly encouraging. 12,32,38,39 Magnetic nanoparticles can be suspended in biocompatible carrier media and anatomically targeted to tumors by direct delivery via intratumor injection. 11 Magnetic materials dissipate heat from relaxation losses when they are exposed to an AMF.…”