Genotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in diverse sectors such as medicine, food, cosmetics, household items, textiles and electronics. Given the extent of human exposure to AgNPs, information about the toxicological effects of such products is required to ensure their safety. For this reason, we performed a bibliographic review of the genotoxicity studies carried out with AgNPs over the last six years. A total of 43 articles that used well-established standard assays (i.e., in vitro mouse lymphoma assays, in vitro micronucleus tests, in vitro comet assays, in vivo micronucleus tests, in vivo chromosome aberration tests and in vivo comet assays), were selected. The results showed that AgNPs produce genotoxic effects at all DNA damage levels evaluated, in both in vitro and in vivo assays. However, a higher proportion of positive results was obtained in the in vitro studies. Some authors observed that coating and size had an effect on both in vitro and in vivo results. None of the studies included a complete battery of assays, as recommended by ICH and EFSA guidelines, and few of the authors followed OECD guidelines when performing assays. A complete genotoxicological characterization of AgNPs is required for decision-making.

Genotoxicity of Nanomaterials: Advanced In Vitro Models and High Throughput Methods for Human Hazard Assessment—A Review

“…With both the micronucleus and mouse lymphoma assay, the smaller the Ag NMs, the greater the cyto- and genotoxicity [ 54 ]. Also other studies investigated the contribution of nano- and micro-sized fractions (titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) [ 55 ], gold (Au) [ 56 ], cobalt chrome [ 57 ], polystyrene [ 58 ], silica [ 59 ], Ag [ 54 , 60 , 61 ], Kaolin [ 62 ], ZnO [ 32 ], copper (Co) [ 63 ]. Using the mini-gel comet assay Lebedová et al studied the size-dependent genotoxicity of Ag, Au and platinum (Pt) NMs [ 64 ].…”

“…This finding may be associated with abilities that reduce the formation of free radicals mediated by TiO 2 NMs [ 69 ], change NMs’ agglomeration stage [ 70 ] and influence the interaction with biological components [ 71 ]. A relationship between genotoxicity and surface composition has also been demonstrated for many other metal and metal oxide particles [ 61 , 63 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ] as well as for biopolymer particles [ 76 ].…”

“…Besides shape, surface properties and size, also the chemical composition plays an important role in NM genotoxicity [ 61 , 79 ]. Studies on genotoxicity of metal NMs (Zn, TiO 2 , Ag, iron oxide, etc.)…”

Gold, Silver, and Palladium Nanoparticles: A Chemical Tool for Biomedical Applications

“…However, the exposure to these NPs through oral administration or inhalation affect the growth of the organs. In the toxicity studies, the dose of the AuNPs/AgNPs is very significant for the biodistribution of these NPs in different tissues and body organs (Yang et al, 2017;Ma et al, 2020;Rodriguez-Garraus et al, 2020). To prevent the accumulation, there is no fully proven mechanism in the literature that discuss the removal of such NPs from the affected organs.…”

ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles alter the ability of Bacillus subtilis to fight against a stress

“…They are described as an alternative therapy against bacteria because, on one hand, the difficulties of bacteria to develop resistance to fight them and, on the other hand, for their moderate impacts on human cells at effective doses used to kill bacteria. This latter point is now more and more controversial considering direct [7][8][9][10] and indirect effects, for example effects on gut microbiome and therefore on pathophysiological response of host, of nanoparticles on the environment and animal or human health [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Their properties are mainly due to the damaging of the cell membrane, their accumulation/degradation and their interaction (direct or through their degradation products) with intracellular biomolecules, such as DNA or enzymes, inducing an oxidative stress by generating ROS, such as superoxides, hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyls radicals, leading to cell death.…”