Surface capping and size-dependent toxicity of gold nanoparticles on different trophic levels

Abstract

In the present study, the toxicity of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was evaluated on various trophic organisms. Bacteria, algae, cell line, and mice were used as models representing different trophic levels. Two different sizes (CIT30 and CIT40) and surface-capped (CIT30-polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-capped) Au NPs were selected. CIT30 Au NP aggregated more rapidly than CIT40 Au NP, while an additional capping of PVP (CIT30-PVP capped Au NP) was found to enhance its stability in sterile lake water medium. Interestingly, all the forms of NPs evaluated were stable in the cell culture medium during the exposure period. Size- and dose-dependent cytotoxicities were observed in both bacteria and algae, with a strong dependence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. CIT30-PVP capped Au NP showed a significant decrease in toxicity compared to CIT30 Au NP in bacteria and algae. In the SiHa cell line, dose- and exposure-dependent decline in cell viability were noted for all three types of Au NPs. In mice, the induction of DNA damage was size and dose dependent, and surface functionalization with PVP reduced the toxic effects of CIT30 Au NP. The exposure to CIT30, CIT40, and CIT30-PVP capped Au NPs caused an alteration of the oxidative stress-related endpoints in mice hepatocytes. The toxic effects of the gold nanoparticles were found to vary in diverse test systems, accentuating the importance of size and surface functionalization at different trophic levels.

Antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles: research progress, challenges and prospects

“…Particle size has been demonstrated to determine the toxicity and distribution of AuNPs, which has aroused considerable attention in the biomedical field (Iswarya et al . ; Li et al . ).…”

Resveratrol alleviate the injury of mice liver induced by cadmium sulfide nanoparticles

“…People take the preparation and synthetic of Nano‐CdS very seriously, and are paying more attention to the adverse effects of nanomaterials on human‐health and environment . At present, a growing number of scholars at home and abroad turn to focus on the research of the toxicity of nanomaterials . And a lot more are focusing on oxidative damage and the general toxicity studies .…”

“…Liu et al reported that CdS nanodots and nanorods had significant different toxicities on mice testis, kidney, and liver; they also had different genotoxicity toxicity. All the differences could be explained not only by the differences in their Cd 2+ release patterns but also by particle morphology …”

“…6 At present, a growing number of scholars at home and abroad turn to focus on the research of the toxicity of nanomaterials. 7,8 And a lot more are focusing on oxidative damage and the general toxicity studies. 9,10 Nano-CdS can induce oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory effects in human A549 cells.…”

“…All the differences could be explained not only by the differences in their Cd 2+ release patterns but also by particle morphology. 7,16 Resveratrol has been a hot researching spot for several years. 17 With the deepening of the research, resveratrol has showed a wide range of biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, 18 anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, etc.…”