Analytical methods to assess nanoparticle toxicity

Abstract

During the past 20 years, improvements in nanoscale materials synthesis and characterization have given scientists great control over the fabrication of materials with features between 1 and 100 nm, unlocking many unique size-dependent properties and, thus, promising many new and/or improved technologies. Recent years have found the integration of such materials into commercial goods; a current estimate suggests there are over 800 nanoparticle-containing consumer products (The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies Consumer Products Inventory, , accessed Oct. 2008), accounting for 147 billion USD in products in 2007 (Nanomaterials state of the market Q3 2008: stealth success, broad impact, Lux Research Inc., New York, NY, 2008). Despite this increase in the prevalence of engineered nanomaterials, there is little known about their potential impacts on environmental health and safety. The field of nanotoxicology has formed in response to this lack of information and resulted in a flurry of research studies. Nanotoxicology relies on many analytical methods for the characterization of nanomaterials as well as their impacts on in vitro and in vivo function. This review provides a critical overview of these techniques from the perspective of an analytical chemist, and is intended to be used as a reference for scientists interested in conducting nanotoxicological research as well as those interested in nanotoxicological assay development.

Gold nanoclusters as novel optical probes for in vitro and in vivo fluorescence imaging

“…Much more needs to be done so that they can be used with confidence in biomedical applications on humans. A comprehensive examination of biocompatibility will be necessary by analyzing cellular responses, e.g., apoptosis, DNA damage, and oxidative stress (Marquis et al 2009;Zhao et al 2011). Moreover, extensive studies of the effects of AuNCs on cell growth and living organisms over extended periods of time need to be performed.…”

Como estudar interações entre nanopartículas e sistemas biológicos

“…Para isso é possível dosar a presença ou atividade de enzimas intracelulares (ex. lactato desidrogenase) 13 ou testar a integridade da membrana com moléculas que não a permeiam (ex. azul de tripano ou iodeto de propídio).…”

An Image Cytometric MTT Assay as an Alternative Assessment Method of Nanoparticle Cytotoxicity

“…However, reports on the limitations and challenges related to assessing NPs toxicity are also accumulating in the literature, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] which is partially attributable to the inability of current cytotoxicity assay protocols to quantitatively assess biological responses related to NPs toxicity. 2,[4][5][6][7]10 For instance, various cell viability assays, such as the mitochondrial reduction of MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) to formazan, have been recently tested for their suitability in assessing nanotoxicity.…”

“…2,[4][5][6][7]10 For instance, various cell viability assays, such as the mitochondrial reduction of MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) to formazan, have been recently tested for their suitability in assessing nanotoxicity. [5][6][7][8] According to these studies, NPs interacting with indicator dyes (e.g., via adsorption, catalytic reaction, or optical interferences) might result in errors during many in vitro nanotoxicity assays.…”