Prenatal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles increases dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and neostriatum of mice

Abstract

-Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics, sunscreen and as a photocatalyst. However, little is known about the biological effect of TiO 2 nanoparticles in humans and other animals. Here, we investigated whether prenatal exposure to TiO 2 nanoparticles impacted the central nervous system in mice. We measured the levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in several regions of the brain in mice using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analysis showed that DA and its metabolites were increased in the prefrontal cortex and the neostriatum following prenatal exposure to TiO 2 nanoparticles. The present study highlights the possibility that maternal exposure to TiO 2 nanoparticles might influence the development of the central dopaminergic system in offspring.

Central nervous system toxicity of metallic nanoparticles

“…This result highlights the possibility that prenatal exposure to TiO 2 NPs might affect the development of the central dopaminergic system in mouse offspring. 44 Shimizu et al 45 also found that maternal exposure to TiO 2 NPs influenced the expression of functional genes related to brain development in mice. Similar in vivo studies showed that prenatal exposure to TiO 2 NPs affects the synaptic plasticity in the offspring's hippocampal dentate gyrus area, revealing the hidden toxicity of TiO 2 NPs in CNS.…”

Maternal Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution and Engineered Nanoparticles: Reproductive and Developmental Effects

“…Nanoparticles were found in the brain, and they induced apoptotic changes in the olfactory bulb in the prenatally exposed male offspring six weeks after the prenatal exposure . A comparable exposure increased levels of dopamine in the offspring brain (Takahashi et al, 2010). In addition, gene expression was altered in the offspring brain related to development and function of the central nervous system.…”

“…Adverse effects of prenatal exposure to engineered nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo have been summarized by (Ema et al, 2010;Hougaard et al, 2011). The effects observed in animals include altered immune response, development of the nervous system and reproductive function (Fedulov et al, 2008;Lamoureux et al, 2010;Shimizu et al, 2009;Takahashi et al, 2010;Takeda et al, 2009;Yoshida et al, 2009;Yoshida et al, 2010).…”

Prenatal exposure to zinc oxide particles alters monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels in the brain of mouse offspring

“…ZnO NPs were suspended at 0.5 mg/ml, and 0.2 ml was administrated subcutaneously to the pregnant ICR mice at GD 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 (100 μg/mouse/day: total 500 μg/mouse). Administered ZnO NPs was same as the mass dose in the previous study about the effects of prenatal TiO 2 NP exposure on dopaminergic system (Takahashi et al, 2010). Control mice were treated with saline containing 0.05% Tween-80.…”