In Vitro Toxicity Testing of Nanomaterials

Abstract

Cell culture-based techniques are employed worldwide to assess risks to optimize design and handling of materials. Nano-scale particles particularly pose a challenge to the predictability of toxicity. This is due to the interplay of several factors including size, shape, surface properties, micro-environment, charge, electronic species etc., that affect the degree of cellular stress. Numerous assays could be employed to understand the nature of toxicity. Some of these include cytotoxicity, metabolic kinetics, modulation in cellular morphology. Various models such as primary cell culture and cell lines can also be employed that best suits a study. Signaling cascades could also be monitored in better understanding cellular responses holistically. Fluorescence microscopy can further be attempted in studying spatial and temporal variations of bio-markers. Ultimately any plethora of dose-response data, need to be streamlined for developing toxicity evaluation protocols that are accurate, cost effective and time saving.

Toxicity Evaluation and Biocompatibility of Nanostructured Biomaterials

“…They are insoluble crystals and accumulate within the Toxicity Evaluation and Biocompatibility of Nanostructured Biomaterials DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109078 cells, which are later solubilized using reagents like sodium dodecyl sulfate or isopropanol. The absorbance is then recorded, and maximum absorbance indicates higher survival [53,54]. With an increasing number of viable cells, the intensity of color deepens.…”

“…The deep blue-colored resazurin gets converted to pinkcolored resorufin by the activity of inner mitochondrial enzymes. It is less successful due to difficulty in the biochemical assaying and unwanted reactions [53].…”