<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>With increasing production and application of a variety of nanomaterials (NMs), research on their cytotoxic and genotoxic potential grows, as the exposure to these nano-sized materials may potentially result in adverse health effects. In large part, indications for potential DNA damaging effects of nanoparticles (NPs) originate from inconsistent <italic>in vitro</italic> studies. To clarify these effects, the implementation of <italic>in vivo</italic> studies has been emphasised. This paper summarises study results of genotoxic effects of NPs, which are available in the recent literature. They provide indications that some NP types cause both DNA strand breaks and chromosomal damages in experimental animals. Their genotoxic effects, however, do not depend only on particle size, surface modification (particle coating), and exposure route, but also on exposure duration. Currently available animal studies may suggest differing mechanisms (depending on the duration of exposure) by which living organisms react to NP contact. Nevertheless, due to considerable inconsistencies in the recent literature and the lack of standardised test methods - a reliable hazard assessment of NMs is still limited. Therefore, international organisations (e.g. NIOSH) suggest utmost caution when potential exposure of humans to NMs occurs, as long as evidence of their toxicological and genotoxic effect(s) is limited.</p></abstract>

With increasing production and application of a variety of nanomaterials (NMs), research on their cytotoxic and genotoxic potential grows, as the exposure to these nano-sized materials may potentially result in adverse health effects. In large part, indications for potential DNA damaging effects of nanoparticles (NPs) originate from inconsistent in vitro studies. To clarify these effects, the implementation of in vivo studies has been emphasised. This paper summarises study results of genotoxic effects of NPs, which are available in the recent literature. They provide indications that some NP types cause both DNA strand breaks and chromosomal damages in experimental animals. Their genotoxic effects, however, do not depend only on particle size, surface modification (particle coating), and exposure route, but also on exposure duration. Currently available animal studies may suggest differing mechanisms (depending on the duration of exposure) by which living organisms react to NP contact. Nevertheless, due to considerable inconsistencies in the recent literature and the lack of standardised test methods - a reliable hazard assessment of NMs is still limited. Therefore, international organisations (e.g. NIOSH) suggest utmost caution when potential exposure of humans to NMs occurs, as long as evidence of their toxicological and genotoxic effect(s) is limited.

Genotoxicity of Metal Nanoparticles: Focus on <italic>In Vivo</italic> Studies

Institute for Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

Genotoxicity of Metal Nanoparticles: Focus on  Studies

With increasing production and application of a variety of nanomaterials (NMs), research on their cytotoxic and genotoxic potential grows, as the exposure to...

Genotoxicity of Metal Nanoparticles: Focus on In Vivo Studies

Publicado en línea: 21 jun 2012

Páginas: 133 - 145

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2213

Palabras clave
eksperimentalne životinje, nanomaterijali, neželjni učinci na zdravlje, oblaganje čestice, oštećenje DNA, oštećenje kromosoma

This content is open access.