Nanoparticles are the main product of artificial technologies, and also accompany
production processes in various industries. The main routes of exposure to nanoparticles are
through the respiratory tract, skin and orally; therefore, most toxicological studies have
focused on the lungs, liver and skin. Nanoscale particles easily penetrate the
alveolar-capillary barrier and enter the bloodstream of the body. Thus, they can reach various
organs, accumulate, cause toxicity, and the heart is one of the target organs.
The study
aims to search and systematize the literature data on the mechanisms of cardiotoxic action of
nanoparticles of various chemical nature (elemental, elementoxide).
The researchers
conducted a literature review as part of a study of the cardiotoxic effect of nanoparticles on
the body. The review is based on modern original research. When searching for literary
sources, the authors used the following information databases: PubMed, Google Scholar,
CyberLeninka Scientific Electronic Library, Russian Scientific Electronic Library eLibrary.Ru.
In total, there were 37 original articles in the review, including 35 foreign ones, and 15 —
no older than 5 years. The development of oxidative stress and an inflammatory reaction leads
to the formation of cardiotoxicity of nanomaterials, which subsequently leads to necrosis and
apoptosis of cells.
Indicators of oxidative damage to lipids and DNA molecules indicate
that the tissues of the heart and lungs suffer from oxidative stress not only as a result of
an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species, but also due to a malfunction of
antioxidant mechanisms caused by exposure to nanoparticles.
Studies using endothelial
cells have shown that exposure to metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can promote the release
of cytokines, the expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion, which are key events
associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases.
These results, combined with
other in vitro data, suggest that direct contact of the cardiovascular system with metal-based
nanoparticles may cause cardiovascular toxicity associated with inflammatory reactions,
oxidative stress, autophagy dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Oxidative stress
induced by nanoparticles leads to apoptosis and inflammatory reactions in cardiomyocytes, as
well as disrupts the integrity of mitochondrial membranes and cell organelles, leading to
various heart pathologies. One of the main mechanisms of toxicity of nanoparticles of
different chemical nature is oxidative stress.
