Assessment of the Potential Health Risk of Gold Nanoparticles Used in Nanomedicine

Abstract

Due to unique properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have become a preferred material in biomedicine. The benefits of their use are indisputable, but their safety and potential toxicity are becoming more and more important. Especially, excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by the strong oxidation potential of metal NPs could evoke adverse effects associated with damage to nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Our study gives a view on the potential cytotoxicity of gold NPs (Au NPs) of different size from the perspective of the redox state of healthy (HEK 293 T) and cancer (A375 and A594) cell lines. These cells were incubated in the presence of two concentrations of Au NPs for 24 h or 72 h and total antioxidant capacity, 8-isoprostane, and protein carbonyl levels were determined. Furthermore, the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase was detected in cell lysates. Our results compared to the results of other laboratories are very contradictory. The outcomes also differ between healthy and cancer cell lines. However, there are certainly changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as the damage to biological molecules due to increased NP-induced oxidative stress. But the final decision of the effect of Au NPs on the oxidative state of selected cell lines requires further research.

Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs)—Toxicity, Safety and Green Synthesis: A Critical Review

“…GSH levels decreased in both cell lines, indicating an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, contributing to the cytotoxicity. Gold nanoparticles may cause oxidative stress and damage to biological molecules due to changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in healthy (HEK 293 T) and cancer (A375 and A594) cell lines, as shown in a study by Dvorakova et al [166]. In another study conducted by Bin-Jumah et al [162], cytotoxicity of AuNPs was dose-dependent, confirmed by two methods in two cell lines-CHANG (normal) and HuH-7 (liver cancer).…”