Perturbation of physiological systems by nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanotechnology is having a tremendous impact on our society. However, societal concerns about human safety under nanoparticle exposure may derail the broad application of this promising technology. Nanoparticles may enter the human body via various routes, including respiratory pathways, the digestive tract, skin contact, intravenous injection, and implantation. After absorption, nanoparticles are carried to distal organs by the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. During this process, they interact with biological molecules and perturb physiological systems. Although some ingested or absorbed nanoparticles are eliminated, others remain in the body for a long time. The human body is composed of multiple systems that work together to maintain physiological homeostasis. The unexpected invasion of these systems by nanoparticles disturbs normal cell signaling, impairs cell and organ functions, and may even cause pathological disorders. This review examines the comprehensive health risks of exposure to nanoparticles by discussing how nanoparticles perturb various physiological systems as revealed by animal studies. The potential toxicity of nanoparticles to each physiological system and the implications of disrupting the balance among systems are emphasized.

Nanotecnociência e Humanidade

“…Esse acúmulo leva a danos teciduais dependentes do tempo e quantidade de exposição, podendo variar de fibrose a respostas neoplásicas. A via respiratória é também uma passagem para o sistema nervoso, devido aos terminais nervosos olfativos nas vias aéreas superiores (Zhang et al, 2014).…”

“…Transportadas pela corrente sanguínea, as nanopartículas podem ter efeitos tóxicos por interação direta com as células sanguíneas ou entrarem em contato com outros tecidos, órgãos e sistemas, como fígado, baço, rins e sistema linfático, podendo causar danos celulares e teciduais (Zhang et al, 2014).…”

“…No entanto, seria um erro afirmar que os mecanismos de toxicidade das nanopartículas são plenamente conhecidos (Zhang et al, 2014). Isso se dá porque aquilo que faz a nanotecnologia parecer tão promissora -o comportamento diverso das nanopartículas em relação às formas brutas do mesmo material -ao mesmo tempo torna seus potenciais efeitos sobre a saúde e sobre o meio-ambiente imprevisí-veis (Service, 2004a).…”

Screening Small Metabolites from Cells as Multifunctional Coatings Simultaneously Improves Nanomaterial Biocompatibility and Functionality

“…Nanosilver (nAg) has been widely used for biocidal purposes (e.g., in medical devices, food storage, cosmetics, textiles, and pigments) for over a century 5, 6, 7. However, the health risks and adverse effects (e.g., nanotoxicity in vivo and in vitro) of nanomaterials caused by their high specific surface area and physiochemical activity are also attracting increasing attention 8, 9, 10, 11. Many methods have been proposed to reduce nanotoxicity, such as surface modification and the regulation of shapes, sizes, charges, defects, and crystal faces 12, 13, 14, 15.…”

Standardizing nanomaterials: A toxicologist’s view

“…Recent studies have provided additional, but limited, evidence to support the carcinogenicity of CNTs, while other studies provide contradicting evidence. The studies indicating CNT carcinogenicity utilized extreme experimental designs and contradicting studies utilized more realistic in vivo experiments (reviewed in [12]). These diverse outcomes may simply refl ect the application of different test materials.…”